DigitShares has officially launched RealEstate.Exchange (REX), a new blockchain-powered platform aimed at transforming real estate investing through tokenization. Built on the Polygon network, REX allows retail investors to buy fractional stakes in real-world properties, unlocking access to a traditionally illiquid and capital-intensive asset class.
Announced on March 25, REX is designed to address the core challenge of real estate’s illiquidity by enabling secondary market trading of tokenized property shares. By doing so, the platform introduces a liquid off-ramp for investors—one that could reshape the landscape for real estate ownership and exit strategies.
At launch, REX features two high-profile Miami properties: the Legacy Hotel & Residences, a 529-unit tower managed by FraXion, and a 38-unit residential complex operated by Trade Estate. DigiShares CEO Claus Skaaning said these are just the beginning, with “five to six more properties already in the pipeline” and broader plans to include commercial and luxury assets across various geographies.
This move positions REX as a serious contender in the growing field of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, leveraging Polygon’s scalable, low-cost infrastructure to bridge traditional property markets with DeFi-ready investors.
“With REX on Polygon PoS, we’re creating a compliant, on-chain marketplace where investors can confidently trade tokenized real estate like never before!” The announcement states.
REX Eyes Global Reach with Polygon Expansion
REX’s selection of Polygon’s proof-of-stake blockchain is strategic, leveraging the network’s low transaction fees, rapid settlement times, and robust security features. These attributes are essential for ensuring seamless and cost-effective transactions, which are critical for the success of a platform aiming to revolutionize real estate investment.
Operating within the complex landscape of financial regulations, REX has secured licensing in the United States through Texture Capital, a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
REX is also participating in the European Union’s blockchain regulatory sandbox, where it is seeking approvals under two key frameworks: the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) and the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID). These licenses are vital for tapping into the EU’s emerging tokenized finance ecosystem.
In parallel, the platform is pursuing similar regulatory pathways in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, signaling an aggressive push into high-growth global markets.
Since its inception in 2018, DigiShares has facilitated between $100 million and $200 million in tokenized real estate offerings. But competition in the sector is intensifying. In February, rival firm Blocksquare launched a real estate tokenization framework in the EU, allowing landlords to tokenize economic rights associated with their properties.
Meanwhile, the UAE continues to emerge as a hub for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, with Mantra Finance recently securing licensing in Dubai to scale its RWA infrastructure.
Real-World Asset Market Surges Past $62B as Tokenized Real Estate Gains Momentum
The real-world asset (RWA) tokenization market is picking up serious momentum, with recent figures from Security Token Market (STM) revealing a cumulative valuation of $62 billion across various asset classes. While tokenized real estate leads in the number of active listings, STM currently tracks 595 individual property tokens; the bulk of the market’s value is still dominated by tokenized debt and equity instruments.
This shift reflects growing institutional and retail interest in on-chain representations of tangible assets, including not just real estate, but also intellectual property, art, and traditional financial securities. Real estate tokenization, in particular, is gaining traction due to its potential to unlock liquidity in an otherwise illiquid sector, offering fractional access to high-value properties and a path to 24/7 global trading.
Quick Facts:
- RealEstate.Exchange (REX) has launched on the Polygon network, facilitating tokenized real estate investments.
- The platform features luxury properties in Miami, including The Legacy Hotel & Residences and a 38-unit residential complex.
- REX is licensed in the U.S. and is pursuing registrations in the EU, South Africa, and the UAE.
- The RWA tokenization market has reached a cumulative valuation of $62 billion, indicating significant investor interest.
