VanEck, a prominent investment firm, is stepping into the tokenized real-world asset (RWA) space with the launch of its first RWA fund, VanEck® Treasury Fund, Ltd. (“VBILL“). Designed primarily for institutional investors, VBILL will offer exposure to U.S. Treasury bills through blockchain technology. Developed in partnership with Securitize, a leading tokenization platform, this initiative positions VanEck as a key player in the rapidly growing RWA tokenization market, where it will compete with giants like BlackRock’s BUIDL and Franklin Templeton’s BENJI.
VBILL: A Multi-Chain Offering for Institutional Investors
In the statement, VanEck announced that VBILL would be available on multiple blockchains, including Avalanche, BNB Chain, Ethereum, and Solana. The fund caters to different investment thresholds depending on the blockchain:
- Minimum subscriptions for investments running on Avalanche, BNB Chain, and Solana start at $100,000.
- On Ethereum, the minimum subscription is significantly higher at $1 million.
This multi-chain strategy underscores VanEck’s commitment to providing flexibility and accessibility for institutional investors while leveraging the strengths of various blockchain ecosystems.
Entering a Competitive Landscape
VanEck joins a burgeoning field of traditional financial firms venturing into RWA tokenization. In January, Apollo, an investment firm managing $751 billion in assets, launched a private credit tokenized fund. According to data from RWA.xyz, U.S. Treasurys represent one of the largest asset classes in tokenized funds, with a market capitalization of $6.9 billion, second only to private credit.
VanEck’s partner, Securitize, has already tokenized over $3.9 billion in assets and recently raised $47 million in a strategic funding round led by BlackRock in May 2024. This collaboration highlights the growing synergy between traditional finance and blockchain innovation.
The Benefits of RWA Tokenization
Advocates of RWA tokenization emphasize its transformative potential compared to traditional finance systems. Key benefits include:
- Faster settlement times: Transactions can be completed in minutes rather than days.
- Enhanced liquidity: Illiquid assets like real estate or private credit can now be traded more easily.
- Increased accessibility: Investors can access fractional ownership of high-value assets.
“Just as the shift to digital audio revolutionized the music industry, the migration to onchain securities has the potential to remodel aspects of the securities market,” said SEC Chair Paul Atkins during a roundtable on May 12.
Atkins further noted that blockchain technology could enable entirely new methods of issuing, trading, owning, and using securities, fostering innovative market activities that current regulations do not yet fully address.
A Breakout Moment for Tokenization
The launch of VBILL comes at a time when RWA tokenization is gaining significant momentum. Industry experts believe that “everything is lining up” for tokenization to have its breakout moment, driven by advancements in blockchain technology and increasing institutional interest.
By entering this space, VanEck not only diversifies its offerings but also aligns itself with the future of finance. As more traditional firms explore tokenization, the competition among players like BlackRock , Franklin Templeton , and now VanEck is set to intensify, potentially reshaping how assets are managed and traded globally.
Final Thought
VanEck’s launch of VBILL marks a significant milestone in the evolution of RWA tokenization. By offering exposure to U.S. Treasury bills on multiple blockchains, the firm is catering to the growing demand for digital asset solutions among institutional investors.
As regulatory frameworks evolve and blockchain technology matures, the tokenization of real-world assets is poised to unlock unprecedented opportunities in the financial ecosystem. For VanEck, this initiative represents both a strategic move and a bold step toward embracing the future of finance.
About Securitize
Securitize, a leader in real-world asset tokenization with over $3.9B AUM (as of May 12, 2025), partners with top asset managers like Apollo, BlackRock, and KKR to bring tokenized funds on-chain. A SEC-registered entity, it operates as a broker-dealer, digital transfer agent, fund administrator, and runs a SEC-regulated ATS. Securitize was named a 2025 Forbes Top 50 Fintech company.
