Tokenized Private Credit Markets Hit $13B Milestone: The Rise of Tokenized Debt Platforms

Private credit is having a major moment—and the numbers speak for themselves. Over $13.3 billion worth of private credit has already been tokenized, signaling a massive shift in how financial markets think about lending, debt, and blockchain. It’s not just a trend. It’s a real transformation that’s disrupting the status quo of how debt is created, accessed, and traded.

So why is tokenized private credit suddenly everywhere in the headlines? Simple. It’s making an illiquid, complex market smarter, faster, and more accessible. From traditional finance giants like BlackRock and Apollo to new-age blockchain platforms like Figure and Tradable, everyone’s jumping in—and not just to test the waters, but to lead the wave.

In this article, we’re diving into what’s actually going on behind that $13 billion figure. You’ll learn:

• What tokenized private credit means (in everyday language),

• What’s fueling its explosive growth,

• How it’s being used across different sectors, and

• How you can build a platform in this fast-growing space.

Ready? Let’s unpack this financial evolution.

What is Tokenized Private Credit?

So, what exactly is tokenized private credit? In plain terms, it’s just private loans or debt instruments—digitized on a blockchain. Instead of signing piles of paper contracts or dealing with intermediaries, these credit agreements are turned into digital tokens that can be tracked, transferred, or traded with ease.

Think of it like this: If traditional debt is a dusty old filing cabinet, tokenized debt is Google Drive. Same content, but way more efficient, transparent, and accessible.

Now, how does this differ from public credit or bonds?

• Public credit involves debt issued by governments or corporations that’s traded openly on stock exchanges—highly regulated, and pretty standardized.

• Private credit is more bespoke. It’s often off-market lending between institutions, businesses, or funds—and it’s usually harder to access, monitor, or trade.

Tokenization changes that. By placing private credit on the blockchain:

• You get transparency: Anyone can see the terms, status, and movement of a credit instrument.

• You get liquidity: These digital debt tokens can be fractionalized and sold, making them easier to move.

• You get efficiency: Smart contracts automate things like interest payouts and compliance.

In short, blockchain doesn’t replace private credit—it supercharges it.

What’s Fueling the $13B Surge?

So how did we go from niche idea to $13.3 billion in tokenized private credit?

1. Big Money Is Stepping In

It’s no longer just crypto-native startups. Institutional titans like BlackRock, Apollo, and Franklin Templeton are pouring resources into tokenized credit markets. Why? Because it’s a scalable, secure way to modernize legacy debt systems while opening up new revenue channels.

BlackRock’s tokenized BUIDL fund alone surpassed $3 billion in tokenized assets in months. That kind of backing gives the entire market credibility—and a serious growth engine.

2. Appetite for Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization

Investors are hungry for real-world assets in blockchain form. Why? Because RWAs like credit, real estate, and invoices come with real value and real returns. Tokenized private credit brings the security of traditional finance with the agility of Web3.

It’s the perfect bridge between the old world and the new.

3. Game-Changing Tech Infrastructure

None of this would be possible without tech upgrades. We’re talking:

• Smart contracts that automate loan terms, repayments, and investor distributions.

• Compliance layers that handle KYC/AML, whitelisting, and on-chain regulation.

• DeFi rails that allow tokenized debt to plug into decentralized liquidity pools and lending platforms.

The result? A credit market that’s faster, leaner, and global from day one.

Use Cases: Real-World Applications of Tokenized Private Credit

Tokenized private credit isn’t just a shiny new idea—it’s already reshaping how debt financing works across multiple industries. Here’s where it’s making a real difference:

1. SME Lending Gets a Boost

Small and mid-sized businesses often struggle to get traditional loans due to rigid banking requirements. Tokenized private credit platforms allow lenders to offer flexible financing to these businesses, and investors can gain exposure to diversified SME debt through digital tokens. It’s a win-win that’s unlocking capital where it’s needed most.

2. Real Estate Debt Becomes Liquid

Traditionally, real estate debt is long-term and illiquid. But when tokenized, a mortgage or property loan can be split into smaller units and traded like stocks. This makes real estate lending more accessible to global investors and easier to manage for institutions.

3. Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) Go Digital

Platforms like Figure have tokenized over $12 billion in HELOCs. Instead of waiting weeks for approvals and paperwork, borrowers and investors interact via smart contracts that issue, track, and settle loans automatically on-chain.

4. Trade Finance and Supply Chain Credit

Tokenized credit is also proving its value in trade finance. Companies can raise working capital against invoices, and investors can fund short-term trade deals with full transparency into the risk and return. It cuts out middlemen, speeds up cash flow, and brings clarity to global supply chains.

5. Institutional Debt Products on the Blockchain

Think high-yield credit notes, structured products, and syndicated loans—but fully tokenized. Institutions are using blockchain to bring these complex products to more investors, all while reducing overheads and improving compliance.

6. Microcredit in Emerging Markets

Tokenization enables fractional loans to be distributed to multiple investors, making microcredit viable even in low-income regions. With blockchain, even a $100 loan can have full traceability, investor access, and repayment automation.

Benefits That Are Hard to Ignore

Tokenizing debt isn’t just a flashy blockchain use case—it solves real problems in the financial system. Let’s break down the clear benefits:

1. Transparency Like Never Before

In traditional credit, data lives in spreadsheets and PDFs. Tokenized credit runs on open, immutable ledgers, meaning investors can track every transaction, interest payout, and default in real time. That level of visibility builds confidence and reduces disputes.

2. Liquidity for Traditionally Illiquid Assets

Private credit used to be locked in for years with no easy exit. Now? Tokens representing that debt can be fractionalized and traded on digital marketplaces—giving investors quicker exits and borrowers access to deeper capital pools.

3. Faster Execution and Lower Costs

Tokenized debt cuts out middlemen like custodians, agents, and underwriters. Smart contracts do the heavy lifting, slashing both time and fees. That means faster loan issuance, faster repayments, and higher net yields for investors.

4. Borderless Capital Access

A borrower in India can raise funds from a fund manager in Switzerland without ever meeting face-to-face. Blockchain removes geography as a barrier, making capital more accessible across the globe.

5. New Business Models and Innovation

From real estate-backed tokens to automated credit scoring via AI, tokenized debt platforms are a playground for fintech innovation. It opens the door for hybrid models blending DeFi with traditional lending rails.

Key Players Powering This Movement

This $13B tokenized credit market didn’t emerge overnight. It was driven by forward-thinking platforms and heavyweight institutions pushing the boundaries. Let’s spotlight the frontrunners:

Figure: The Category Leader

With over $12 billion in tokenized private credit assets, Figure is miles ahead of the curve. It uses Provenance Blockchain, a purpose-built layer-1 for financial services, to tokenize loans like HELOCs and enable direct lending at scale. Figure’s end-to-end platform handles origination, servicing, and trading—all on-chain.

Tradable: A Quiet Powerhouse

Less flashy but rapidly growing, Tradable has over $1.8 billion in tokenized credit assets. Their edge? Efficiency. They focus on reducing capital friction and operational overhead, giving institutions a streamlined way to bring off-chain credit onto the blockchain with minimal disruption.

Centrifuge: Bridging DeFi Liquidity

Centrifuge is at the heart of DeFi-powered real-world lending. It connects borrowers (like businesses with receivables) to DeFi investors, using asset-backed NFTs and stablecoin funding. Their Tinlake protocol is making decentralized credit markets a reality.

Maple Finance: Lending for Institutions

Maple is a platform focused on under-collateralized loans to vetted institutions. By blending smart contracts with traditional underwriting, Maple offers yield-generating debt pools for crypto-native investors—proving that tokenized debt isn’t just for TradFi.

Big Names Backing the Ecosystem

• BlackRock: Their BUIDL tokenized fund hit $3B+ AUM, demonstrating serious commitment to blockchain-based RWAs.

• Apollo: Experimenting with tokenized structured products.

• Franklin Templeton: Pioneered tokenized money market funds.

These players aren’t just experimenting—they’re rearchitecting the debt market from the ground up.

How to Launch Your Own Tokenized Debt Platform?

Thinking about entering the tokenized credit space? You’re not alone—and the opportunity is wide open. Building a tokenized debt platform may sound complex, but with the right structure, it’s completely doable. Here’s how to get started step by step:

1. Start with Market Research and Regulatory Planning

Before diving into tech, map your niche. Are you focusing on SME loans? Real estate debt? Institutional credit? Once that’s clear, identify the jurisdictions you’ll operate in—and get legal clarity early. Tokenized credit deals with securities laws, so you’ll want to align with KYC, AML, and investor protection regulations.

2. Choose the Right Blockchain Infrastructure

Not all chains are built for finance. Popular choices for tokenized debt include:

• Provenance Blockchain for institutional compliance.

• Ethereum for liquidity and integration with DeFi protocols.

• Avalanche and Polygon for scalable, low-cost deployments.

Ensure your chain supports smart contract automation, token standards (like ERC-20 or ERC-1400), and compliance layers for whitelisting and reporting.

3. Develop Smart Contracts with Debt Logic

This is the tech heart of your platform. You’ll need smart contracts to:

• Issue debt tokens.

• Automate interest payments.

• Track repayment schedules and defaults.

• Handle investor allocations and redemptions.

Make sure your contracts are audited for security. Trust is everything when handling money.

4. Design a Strong Token Model

There are typically two types of tokens involved:

• Debt tokens: Represent repayment rights for a loan or asset.

• Investment tokens: Represent ownership in a debt pool or note program.

Structure your token model around real cash flows, ensuring investors get their return based on predefined logic.

5. Build a Borrower and Investor Onboarding Flow

Set up a frictionless KYC process. Borrowers should be able to apply for loans digitally, and investors must go through identity verification and possibly accreditation (if required by law). Integrate tools like Jumio, Onfido, or Persona for compliance checks.

6. Structure Legal Frameworks with SPVs or Notes

You’ll need real-world wrappers around your tokenized products. Many platforms use:

• Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for asset protection and segregation.

• Tokenized promissory notes or debt certificates governed by legal contracts.

Partner with law firms experienced in blockchain finance.

7. Launch and Build Liquidity

Once live, you need participants. Consider:

• Partnering with DeFi protocols for secondary market liquidity.

• Listing debt tokens on regulated exchanges or private marketplaces.

• Marketing to high-net-worth individuals, funds, and DAOs looking for yield.

A well-designed platform won’t just attract investors—it’ll earn their trust.

Conclusion

The rise of tokenized private credit—now surpassing $13.3 billion in value—isn’t just a milestone, it’s a clear signal that the future of lending is being built on blockchain. As institutional giants and agile platforms continue to reshape how debt is issued, traded, and managed, the opportunity for innovation in this space is massive. Whether you’re a financial institution, a startup, or an entrepreneur eyeing this fast-evolving sector, launching your own tokenized debt platform could put you at the forefront of the next financial revolution. Blockchain App Factory offers end-to-end tokenized debt platform development services, helping you build secure, scalable, and regulation-ready infrastructure tailored for real-world credit markets.