R3 has announced the launch of R3 Labs, a new division that focuses on the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) as it aims to bring the next trillion dollars of institutional assets on-chain. Currently, R3 has successfully tokenized $17 billion worth of RWAs across its platforms, making it the world’s largest collection of tokenized RWAs.
Richard G. Brown has been appointed as the CEO of R3 Labs, tasked with leading the initiative to expand the adoption of tokenized RWAs on the Solana blockchain. Brown, recognized as one of the leading authorities on distributed ledger systems, has previously served as R3’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, where he played a crucial role in developing Corda, the organization’s blockchain platform.
Joining Brown is Digby Try, who takes on the role of Global Head of Sales. Try brings over 25 years of experience in digital assets and capital markets, having previously held leadership positions at Coincover and Currencycloud.
The market for tokenized RWAs is projected to grow to $30 trillion by 2034, and R3 Labs aims to capitalize on this potential by bridging traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). Utilizing the high-speed capabilities of the Solana network, R3 Labs seeks to reduce the complexities associated with issuing RWAs on public blockchains while providing regulated institutions direct confirmation of transactions.
The division will introduce products and services designed to lower barriers to on-chain deployment for institutions. By leveraging the features of R3’s Corda platform, which has a proven track record in privacy and control, R3 Labs aims to grant regulated firms greater liquidity and market access. The integration of R3’s compliance solutions with Solana’s expansive DeFi ecosystem is expected to facilitate streamlined RWA issuance and deployment, allowing TradFi entities to engage with DeFi without compromising on privacy or security.
David E. Rutter, founder and CEO of R3, described the launch of R3 Labs as a significant milestone in the company’s mission to reduce friction in tokenization and facilitate the movement of institutional assets onto public blockchains. He expressed confidence in Brown’s ability to lead the new initiative effectively.
In response to emerging opportunities in the market, experts from other financial institutions echoed the sentiments expressed by R3 leadership. Guido Stroemer, Co-Founder and CEO of HQLAX, emphasized the importance of managing collateral across jurisdictions and the potential for R3 Labs to enhance the mobility of traditional and digital asset collateral. Marco Kessler, Head of Product and Business Development at SIX Securities Services, remarked on the accelerating institutional adoption of public blockchains and R3’s strong positioning in the market.
R3’s commitment to bridging the gap between TradFi and DeFi through the launch of R3 Labs encapsulates its vision for the future of on-chain finance, focusing on trusted, compliant infrastructures that empower institutions to innovate in the evolving digital economy.
