In an ever-evolving financial world, where blockchain technology is emerging as a catalyst for change, Vlad Tenev, CEO of Robinhood, does not hold back on metaphors when describing the future. During Token2049 in Singapore on October 2, 2025, Tenev stated: "Tokenization is like a freight train: unstoppable." This image evokes not only the speed and inexorable force of this innovation, but also its ability to sweep away the obsolete structures of the traditional financial system. The tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), a process that converts real estate or energy projects into regulated security tokens, is merging crypto with conventional finance, removing barriers and democratizing access to capital. In Latin America, this "freight train" is accelerating, especially in sectors such as real estate and green energy, where traditional financing methods have been slow, costly, and exclusionary.

What is tokenization and why is it already unstoppable?

Tokenization represents the digitization of tangible assets on the blockchain, allowing them to be fractionalized, transferred, and traded 24/7 without traditional intermediaries. As Tenev explains, "Tokenization is like a freight train. You can't stop it, and eventually it's going to devour the entire financial system." This analogy underscores the momentum we are experiencing today: it is already underway, and there is no turning back. Instead of relying on banks, notaries, and centralized exchanges, assets ranging from stocks and bonds to real estate and commodities are becoming Regulated Security Tokens, backed by underlying value and accessible globally.

The impact is already palpable. In June 2025, Robinhood launched more than 200 tokenized US stocks for customers in the European Union, propelling its shares to an all-time high. Tenev predicts this will become the norm: "I believe tokenization will become the default way to gain exposure to US stocks outside the US." Stablecoins, digital currencies pegged to fiat currencies or commodities, are a clear precursor to this merger. Institutions such as BlackRock and Morgan Stanley are already executing the tokenization of stocks, bonds, and real estate, signaling a shift toward blockchain efficiency.

Tenev estimates that most major markets will have regulatory frameworks in place within five years, although full adoption could take longer. Europe continues to lead the way, followed by the rest of the world, while the US lags behind due to its orthodox infrastructure. In Latin America, with emerging economies eager for innovation, this freight train is accelerating: regulations in countries such as Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, and Brazil are facilitating entry, attracting foreign investment, and reducing transaction costs by up to 90%.

The Collapse of Traditional Methods in Real Estate Financing

The real estate sector in Latin America has historically been a bastion of opaque and elitist financing. Projects such as hotels, shopping centers, and housing depend on bank loans with high interest rates (up to 15-20% per year in regions such as Colombia and Mexico), cumbersome notarial guarantees, and closing terms of several months. Only 20% of the population has access to mortgage loans, excluding retail investors and perpetuating inequalities.

Tokenization breaks down these barriers by dividing projects into Security Tokens accessible from US$100. Imagine a hotel in Cartagena, Colombia: instead of a multi-million dollar bank loan, the developer issues Security Tokens backed by the asset, attracting global investors via blockchain. This reduces administrative costs by 70%, speeds up closing to days, and offers immediate liquidity since Security Tokens are traded on secondary exchanges, unlike the rigidity of a traditional trust.

Tenev sums it up: "There will be no distinction between cryptocurrencies and traditional finance; they will merge completely." In real estate, this means the end of intermediaries: without banks assessing risks for weeks, smart contracts automate payments and compliance. In Latin America, where the real estate market exceeds US$200 billion annually, tokenization will inject US$50 billion in fresh capital by 2030, according to industry projections. Projects stalled by bureaucracy, such as coastal developments in Colombia or Panama, will be reactivated, promoting employment and sustainable urban growth.

However, the collapse is not just about efficiency: it is about democratization. Previously marginalized, unaccredited investors are participating in fractions of premium projects, diversifying portfolios with annual returns of 8-12%, higher than sovereign bonds. This erodes the monopoly of private funds and investment banks, forcing them to adapt or face extinction.

Revolution in Green Energy Financing: From Exclusivity to Mass Inclusion

Green energy faces similar challenges in Latin America: solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects require massive investments, financed by international loans with strict guarantees and terms of 10-15 years. In countries such as Mexico and Chile, 70% of renewable energy depends on government subsidies or multilateral funds, limiting its scale. Exchange rate volatility and lack of liquidity discourage local investors.

Tokenization acts as an unstoppable catalyst here. By tokenizing assets such as a solar plant in Panama or Colombia, investment rights are fractionalized into regulated Security Tokens, attracting retail and institutional capital. This lowers the entry threshold: an investor in Spain buys Security Tokens equivalent to 0.01% of the plant, receiving proportional returns via blockchain. Transaction costs fall dramatically, from 5% to 0.5%, and traceability ensures transparency in the use of funds for ESG (environmental, social, and governance) goals.

Tenev's vision aligns: tokenization will "devour the entire financial system," including sectors such as energy, where blockchain efficiency optimizes cash flows. In Latin America, with a renewable potential of 1,000 GW (according to IRENA), tokenization could finance $100 billion annually, accelerating the net-zero transition. Projects such as wind farms in Brazil, previously tied to illiquid green bonds, are now financed via Security Tokens, with returns of 10-15% and a quick exit if the market changes.

The impact is transformative: it reduces dependence on ODA (official development assistance) and empowers local communities, which invest in Security Tokens from nearby plants, generating sustainable income. Traditionally, green financing was an exclusive club; tokenization makes it an open market, aligned with global goals such as the Paris Agreement.

Expedit Capital: The Startup Leading the Freight Train in Latin America

In this disruptive landscape, Expedit Capital emerges as a pivotal startup in the Latin American ecosystem. Founded as an RWA tokenization platform, Expedit is positioned as the Ibero-American leader in real estate and green energy, operating in Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and Spain. Its mission: to democratize investments through regulated security tokens stored on blockchain to offer flexibility, control, and 24/7 liquidity.

Expedit tokenizes real projects, such as hotels in Cartagena, the Shopping Mall in Mexico, and the Solar Plant in Panama, allowing retail investors to participate in high-quality assets starting at US$100. Supervised by regulators such as Spain's CNMV, the US SEC, and Europe's ESMA, the Expedit Capital platform ensures KYC/AML compliance, setting it apart from unregulated competitors. Expedit Capital has been recognized in the VII Finnovista Fintech Radar 2025 (in partnership with Mastercard) and in The Tokenizers: Who's Who 2024.

Unlike traditional methods, Expedit reduces costs by 80% and speeds up financing to weeks, ideal for real estate developers and green promoters. Its focus on Latin America, where 60% of the population is underbanked, makes it relevant: by merging blockchain with local regulations, it positions the region as a hub of innovation, capturing capital flows from Europe and Asia.

Expedit not only survives the "Freight Train"; it drives it. By offering attractive returns (8-15%) with legal backing, it attracts non-accredited investors, institutions, and family offices, expanding the RWA market by a projected 300% by 2028.

Accelerating Toward a Tokenized Future

"Tokenization is like a freight train: unstoppable." Tenev's words resonate like prophecy in Latin America, where the real estate market and green energy are crying out for disruption. By breaking down traditional financing, which is slow, costly, and exclusionary, tokenization injects efficiency, inclusion, and massive capital, driving sustainable growth. Startups like Expedit Capital, with their regulated leadership and regional focus, are not only riding this wave; they are shaping it, turning challenges into opportunities.

The future won't wait: in five years, Latin American markets could tokenize 30% of their key assets, merging crypto and tradition. For developers, investors, and governments, the question isn't whether to jump on board, but how to maximize speed. Latin America, with its dynamism, is ready to lead this revolution. Are you jumping on board with Expedit Capital?