Rischan Mafrur

Rischan Mafrur

Real-world asset tokenization is often presented as a mechanism for improving the liquidity of traditionally illiquid assets. However, on-chain representation and secondary-market liquidity are distinct outcomes. This paper examines whether tokenized real-world assets exhibit meaningful observed liquidity and identifies the token characteristics associated with higher market activity. Using token-level data from RWA.xyz and supplemental contract-level observations from Etherscan, the study constructs an Ethereum-based monthly panel of non-stablecoin real-world assets across three prominent categories: U.S. Treasury-backed tokens, gold-backed commodity tokens, and private-credit-related tokens. Liquidity is measured using turnover, active addresses, and an active-month indicator. The empirical design combines descriptive statistics, non-parametric group tests, and exploratory panel regressions suited to short and sparse token histories. The results show substantial heterogeneity across asset categories. Gold-backed tokens exhibit broader holder bases and more persistent on-chain activity than many Treasury and private-credit-related products, while outstanding asset value alone does not reliably predict observed liquidity. The paper contributes to the literature by developing a clearer empirical measurement framework for real-world-asset liquidity and showing that tokenization and liquidity should be analyzed as distinct outcomes.

Rischan Mafrur, Khadijah

Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) are often evaluated through headline indicators such as total value locked (TVL) or on-chain asset value. However, a large asset base does not necessarily imply low risk, since tokenized assets may remain illiquid, weakly traded, or highly concentrated among a small number of holders. Using public data from RWA.xyz, this paper develops an empirical and explainable risk scoring framework for tokenized RWA markets. The framework evaluates three dimensions of risk: liquidity risk $L$, concentration risk $C$, and market-quality risk $M$. These risk dimensions are constructed from observable indicators, including turnover, holder distribution, active-address activity, transfer frequency, and network concentration measured through Herfindahl indices. The analysis shows that several RWA tokens with substantial on-chain value exhibit high empirical risk because they combine limited transfer activity, low turnover, and concentrated ownership structures. In contrast, assets with broader participation and stronger on-chain activity display lower liquidity and concentration risk, even when their headline asset values are smaller. The findings demonstrate that TVL alone can obscure important risks in tokenized asset markets. By providing a transparent and data-driven risk scoring approach, this paper contributes to the empirical assessment of RWA liquidity and offers a practical basis for comparing tokenized assets beyond headline valuation metrics.

Rischan Mafrur

The convergence of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) has led to the emergence of AI-based tokens, which are cryptographic assets designed to power decentralized AI platforms and services. This paper provides a comprehensive review of leading AI-token projects, examining their technical architectures, token utilities, consensus mechanisms, and underlying business models. We explore how these tokens operate across various blockchain ecosystems and assess the extent to which they offer value beyond traditional centralized AI services. Based on this assessment, our analysis identifies several core limitations. From a technical perspective, many platforms depend extensively on off-chain computation, exhibit limited capabilities for on-chain intelligence, and encounter significant scalability challenges. From a business perspective, many models appear to replicate centralized AI service structures, simply adding token-based payment and governance layers without delivering truly novel value. In light of these challenges, we also examine emerging developments that may shape the next phase of decentralized AI systems. These include approaches for on-chain verification of AI outputs, blockchain-enabled federated learning, and more robust incentive frameworks. Collectively, while emerging innovations offer pathways to strengthen decentralized AI ecosystems, significant gaps remain between the promises and the realities of current AI-token implementations. Our findings contribute to a growing body of research at the intersection of AI and blockchain, highlighting the need for critical evaluation and more grounded approaches as the field continues to evolve.