Mantra has made significant strides in blockchain technology by upgrading its mainnet to support both the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and CosmWasm. This innovative MultiVM architecture aims to streamline the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), a burgeoning market with an estimated worth of around $16 trillion. Despite its potential, the RWA sector has faced obstacles due to fragmented developer tools, regulatory uncertainties, and a lack of interoperability between different blockchain ecosystems.
The recent upgrade integrates specific compliance requirements directly into the protocol, backed by a virtual asset service provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This development marks a pioneering step for layer-1 blockchains focused on RWAs, showcasing a MultiVM design that allows multiple smart-contract virtual machines to operate in tandem. This setup enables developers to utilize existing tools while building on a foundation that incorporates compliance checks specifically designed for institutional applications.
John Patrick Mullin, founder and CEO of Mantra, emphasized the transformative potential of this upgrade. He stated that enhancing performance and embedding compliance into the protocol paves the way for greater accessibility, trust, and regulatory clarity in RWA tokenization. Mullin views this as a crucial step towards creating a more efficient and open financial landscape.
A key advantage of implementing protocol-level compliance is the consistency it provides, as opposed to application-level contracts, which can vary and lead to uneven enforcement. By embedding compliance into the base protocol, Mantra aims to illuminate the path for compliance teams, streamlining risk assessments and easing the overall process for institutions that need to establish end-to-end controls.
For developers, the upgrade means they can deploy Solidity-based decentralized applications (DApps) directly on Mantra Chain without any alterations to their code. The chain also offers support for low-level EVM instructions, optimized system contracts, low transaction fees, and infrastructure geared towards RWAs. Furthermore, the EVM-compatible and self-sovereign chain is backed by licensed infrastructure from Mantra Finance, simplifying the institutional onboarding process.
Future plans include facilitating straightforward asset transfers from other EVM chains, thereby enhancing interoperability. The Mantra team is focused on scaling adoption, onboarding asset issuers, and showcasing how tokenized finance can maintain clear audit trails, proper permissioning, and policy enforcement.
Building on this momentum, Mantra recently announced a strategic partnership with Inveniam aimed at developing an institutional-grade stack for RWAs in both the UAE and the United States. Alongside new validators from Binance, Nansen, and Inveniam, Mantra is positioning itself uniquely in the competitive blockchain landscape.
Mullin highlighted two standout features that set Mantra apart: its VASP license from Dubai’s VARA and a compliance-driven infrastructure. He believes that the combination of EVM interoperability will satisfy the demands of developers, investors, and asset owners seeking a powerful and compliant blockchain solution.
Looking ahead, Mantra plans to introduce permissioned liquidity pools and institutional compliance frameworks, along with deeper integration with other blockchain networks. Additionally, the team will host Agentic., a two-day summit in Abu Dhabi on October 21-22, focusing on essential themes like tokenization, market structure, and capital flows.
This pioneering MultiVM upgrade by Mantra sets the stage for a cohesive ecosystem that effectively integrates EVM and CosmWasm to foster compliance in RWA use cases.
