From $1 into gold and stocks. How to invest in real assets via blockchain

Capitalization of tokenized assets for the first three months of 2026 exceeded $19 billion—more than triple the figure from the beginning of 2025. Behind these numbers lies the development of tokenization, a technology that transfers rights to real-world assets—such as gold, stocks, bonds, and real estate—onto the blockchain.

We explored how this market works, where Ukrainians can buy such assets, how much capital is needed to get started, and what kind of returns can be expected LIGA.net

Gold, stocks, and real estate on your smartphone: how tokenized assets work

To invest in gold, you do not need to buy a physical bar; you can purchase a portion of these assets via a crypto wallet, even with a small amount. This approach is known as Real World Assets (RWA)—the tokenization of real-world assets.

The idea is to represent the right to a real financial or physical asset as a digital token on a blockchain. This could be gold in a vault, a share in a fund linked to US government bonds, or a stake in a company that owns real estate.

“Anything can be tokenized—gold and silver, oil and wheat, stocks and bonds,” explains Mykhailo Patsan, owner of the Learn to Earn Global group of companies.

On the blockchain rotates approximately $39.37 billion in tokenized assets, with the number of holders reaching 5.51 million addresses as of November 3, 2026. One of the largest market segments consists of tokenized Treasury and other government bonds, the total value of which reached $12.65 billion.

Tokenization does not mean that an individual becomes the owner of a physical asset or a security; everything depends on the legal structure of the specific product. In one instance, a token represents a share in a fund; in another, it constitutes a debt claim against the issuer; and in a third, it grants a right to a share in a company that owns real estate.

What assets can be purchased via blockchain?

• Tokenized gold – a company purchases physical metal, stores it in a vault, and issues digital tokens backed by gold. For example, Tether Gold (XAUt) is backed by gold held in Swiss vaults, while Paxos’s PAX Gold (PAXG) is backed by bullion stored in Brink’s vaults.

Each token corresponds to one troy ounce of gold. The investor purchases a digital asset with a price pegged to the value of gold. This instrument does not generate regular income; instead, profit is made from the appreciation of the metal’s price.

• Tokenized shares …enable the acquisition of a digital instrument whose value is linked to the shares of public companies. For example, Ondo Stocks offers over 430 instruments linked to US stocks and ETFs. Another example is xStocks from Backed, a Kraken group company.

Earnings are generated through the price appreciation of the underlying stock and dividends, where provided for by the product terms. In the case of Ondo and xStocks, dividends are reinvested by increasing the number of tokens following the deduction of withholding tax.

• Tokenized bonds enable investment via blockchain in government securities or funds that invest in such assets. Examples include BlackRock’s BUIDL, Circle’s USYC, Ondo’s USDY, and the Franklin Templeton fund.

For example, BUIDL is a tokenized share of a BlackRock money market fund that invests in cash equivalents and short-term U.S. government securities. In other words, the investor owns a share of the fund rather than an individual Treasury bond.

• Tokenized real estate It is usually structured through a legal entity, with tokens representing shares in the company that owns the property. In other words, the investor acquires a stake in the legal structure rather than direct ownership of the apartment. Rental income is the primary source of profit. The final return is influenced by vacancy periods between tenants, repairs, taxes, and management costs.

For example, the US platform Lofty offers over 180 properties across 21 US states. Each property is owned by a separate Wyoming LLC, and rental income is distributed among token holders.

Where to buy tokenized assets

Tokenized assets can be purchased through crypto exchanges, digital wallets, and brokerage platforms. Availability depends on the asset type, the issuer, and the country where the investor is registered.

“The most accessible segment for Ukrainians is stocks,” says Patsan.

For example, xStocks tokenized shares can be purchased on the Kraken exchange, while Ondo Stocks products are available via Binance, Bitget, MetaMask, and Blockchain.com. Binance also has its own product for trading tokenized securities: bStocks.

Another category is tokenized bonds. One example is USDY from Ondo. It is a digital token backed by short-term US government bonds and bank deposits.

By purchasing it, the investor acquires an asset with a yield linked to the interest generated by these financial instruments. USDY is aimed at investors outside the US; however, before buying, Ukrainians should verify whether the issuer permits dealings with Ukrainian residents.

At the same time, accessing such investments may require significant initial capital. For instance, purchasing tokenized bonds through Ondo requires a minimum investment of $100,000, while BlackRock’s BUIDL fund is available only to qualified investors, with a minimum investment of $5 million.

Another area is tokenized gold. Popular instruments include XAUT and PAXG, which, according to Patsan, can be purchased on the WhiteBIT exchange. PAX Gold is also available through the Interactive Brokers platform, which serves clients from Ukraine.

For Ukrainians, gaining access to tokenized real estate is the most difficult challenge. Most platforms in this sector, such as Lofty, focus primarily on the US market, which limits opportunities for investors from other countries.

What amount can I start with?

The minimum threshold depends on the platform and the specific instrument. According to Mykhailo Patsan, owner of the Learn to Earn Global group of companies, tokenized xStocks shares can be purchased on Kraken starting at $1, while Franklin Templeton fund tokens can be bought via the Benji app starting at $20.

“One of the advantages of the crypto world is freedom. In terms of the amount involved, this means that even with just ten dollars, you can invest or trade,” notes Oleksii Plastun, Doctor of Economics and Professor at Sumy State University.

Returns depend on the underlying asset. Stocks can generate profit through capital appreciation and dividends, bonds through interest payments, and real estate through rental income, whereas gold yields returns solely through changes in the metal’s price.

In September 2026, the yield on USDY was approximately 3.53% per annum, while BUIDL stood at 3.44%, according to data provided by Mykhailo Patsan. These are not guaranteed rates, as they fluctuate based on market conditions. If you invest $1,000 at an annual rate of 3.5%, you could earn approximately $35 before taxes over the course of a year, provided the rate remains unchanged.

Fees and risks: what you need to know before investing

Buying and selling costs depend on the platform. For instance, Kraken does not charge a separate commission for xStocks transactions but profits from the spread—the difference between the buying and selling prices. This is according to Mykhailo Patsan.

At Paxos, a fixed fee of 0.02 PAXG (approximately $85) applies to purchases of up to two ounces of gold after September 30, 2026; therefore, this method may not be cost-effective for small amounts. At Interactive Brokers, the commission for a crypto trade is 0.12–0.18%, subject to a minimum of $1.75.

Costs associated with the storage, transfer, and conversion of assets must be considered separately.

Ukrainian investors must also take taxes into account. There is no single rate for all tokenized assets; it depends on the legal nature of the token and the type of income.

For example, if a token legally confirms ownership of foreign shares, dividends received are subject to personal income tax at a rate of 9% and a military levy of 5%. If an investor sells such shares at a profit, personal income tax at 18% and a military levy of 5% apply; the tax is calculated based on the positive difference between the sale price and the documented acquisition costs.

This is a machine translation of the original article in Ukrainian. It may contain errors.