World Trade Center Mumbai hosted “The BOX Launch”, a high-level gathering focused on the emerging potential of Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenisation in India. Presented by RealX, the event brought together policymakers, technology experts, real estate leaders, investors and financial-sector professionals to discuss how blockchain-based infrastructure could reshape ownership, investment and access to real-world assets.
The event marked the launch of REDbox and Whitebox, described as open infrastructure for India’s Real-World Asset tokenisation ecosystem. Discussions highlighted the potential of tokenisation to improve transaction transparency, enable fractional participation, enhance efficiency and create new investment structures.
RWA tokenisation involves digitally representing rights or interests in physical or financial assets through blockchain-based tokens. While the model could open new opportunities for investment and ownership, it also raises important considerations around regulation, investor protection, custody, transparency, cybersecurity and interoperability.
Maharashtra’s Role in Blockchain and Asset Tokenisation
Inaugurating “The BOX Launch”, Adv. Ashish Shelar, Minister of IT, AI and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, said, “Tokenisation presents a significant new opportunity for Maharashtra as technology increasingly transforms the way real-world assets are owned, accessed and transacted. Maharashtra has always been at the forefront of innovation, supported by a strong financial sector, vibrant start-up ecosystem and a large pool of young talent. Initiatives like this and through blockchain-based infrastructure for Real World Assets, can help make transactions more transparent, verifiable and secure, thereby strengthening investor confidence”.
Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Hon’ble Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Government of Maharashtra, said, “India is moving towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy and achieving the vision of a developed nation by 2047, and this aspiration will require technological advancement and innovation. Maharashtra must continue to provide an environment where emerging technologies can be developed, tested and responsibly adopted. Initiatives such as this can contribute to strengthening Maharashtra’s position as a leading destination for innovation and investment.”
Pravin Pardeshi, CEO, Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), Government of Maharashtra, highlighted the potential of tokenisation to make real estate investment more accessible and transparent. He said, “Real estate remains one of the most preferred asset classes for long-term value creation, returns and wealth preservation. Tokenisation can make such investments more secure, transparent and accessible, while also helping channel savings into productive assets. The real potential lies in unlocking value from underutilised or idle public assets like transmission lines which when tokenised could potentially allow wider participation in the income generated by such assets, on lines like investment structures such as REITs”.
Citing the United States as an example, Dr. Pardeshi added, “Maharashtra, being a power-surplus state, can explore such models to create additional revenue streams. This can enhance the State’s capacity to invest in new infrastructure and create a virtuous cycle in which existing assets generate resources for creation of future assets”.
Cybersecurity and Regulatory Clarity Remain Essential
The importance of cybersecurity was also emphasised during the event. Shri Yashasvi Yadav, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Maharashtra Cyber, Maharashtra, said, “Cybersecurity must be built into the foundation of Real-World Asset and land tokenisation before such systems are deployed at scale. Digital assets create new vulnerabilities through wallets, private keys, smart contracts, identity theft, phishing and fraudulent tokenisation, which can expose asset owners to serious financial risks. Regular cybersecurity audits, vulnerability assessments and adequate security provisions must therefore be incorporated at the design stage itself. Today, Maharashtra Cyber today handles around 8,000–10,000 cyber-related calls daily and has helped save nearly ₹1,600 crore from cyber fraud in less than a year”.
Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, said, “Technology is rapidly transforming the way capital, assets and businesses interact. Real-World Asset tokenisation represents an emerging opportunity to make investment ecosystems more efficient, transparent and accessible. India has the technology capabilities, entrepreneurial talent and large market required to become an important participant in this evolving global ecosystem. Our previous experiments in indigenous digital stack, JAM trinity has shown that scalable use of technology in governance can bring a paradigm shift”
Dr. Kalantri further emphasised the need for innovation to progress alongside regulatory clarity, investor protection and trust. He added, “For India to realise the full potential of emerging technologies such as blockchain and asset tokenisation, we need innovation accompanied by trust, investor protection and regulatory clarity. Maharashtra has taken pioneer steps through its DELTA Act assuring statutory backing with legal certainty. Once integrated, this can be utilized in unlocking dormant capital, novel financing mechanisms and ownership clarity aiding businesses and MSMEs”.
Connecting Global Markets Through Tokenisation
Setting the context for the gathering, Mr. Vishal Kalantri, Director, Strategy and Investment, RealX and Director, Balaji Infrastructure Private Limited, said, “Tokenisation and Real-World Assets are emerging as important components of the evolving digital economy, bringing together stakeholders from policy, finance, technology and industry on a common platform. The REALx gathering comes at an important time when emerging technologies are reshaping ownership, investment and the way businesses operate across markets. The global World Trade Centers network, with access across more than 300 jurisdictions under one umbrella, has enabled WTCs to facilitate trade, investment and cross-border business opportunities, helping enterprises operate more seamlessly across global boundaries. This global connectivity and ability to bridge markets becomes particularly relevant as tokenisation opens new possibilities for investment, asset ownership and cross-border participation,”
The discussions at The BOX Launch underlined the growing convergence of technology, finance and real-world assets. Speakers and participants highlighted the need for collaboration among governments, regulators, financial institutions, technology companies, developers and investors to establish a secure, transparent and scalable tokenisation ecosystem in India.
