MANTRA, a layer-1 blockchain designed for tokenized real-world assets (RWA), entered into an agreement with United Arab Emirates-based real estate conglomerate DAMAC Group to bring at least $1 billion of the firm’s assets to blockchain rails, the companies announced Thursday in a press release.

The deal will allow investors to fund DAMAC’s portfolio companies spanning various sectors, including property development, hospitality and data centers. By tokenizing assets, companies aim to streamline traditional investment processes while increasing accessibility for both retail and institutional investors.

Details of which DAMAC properties will be tokenized and specifics of the offerings will be announced in the coming weeks, a MANTRA spokesperson told CoinDesk. The offers will be available from the beginning of 2025, the press release states.

Real-world asset tokenization, the process of converting traditional assets such as real estate, commodities, funds and securities into digital tokens that represent ownership on a blockchain, is gaining traction globally. Institutions and even governments are increasingly exploring tokenization in pursuit of operational efficiencies like faster settlements and broader investor accessibility. The RWA market could grow to trillions of dollars this decade, projected various reports from McKinsey, BCG, 21Shares and Bernstein.

“Tokenization of our assets will provide investors with a safe, transparent and convenient way to access a wide range of investment opportunities,” Amira Sajwani, CEO of DAMAC, said in a statement.

MANTRA is focusing on the Middle East region to bring a wide range of traditional financial assets to its blockchain. Earlier this year, it said it will tokenize $500 million worth of assets from Dubai-based property developer MAG Group. The network’s mainnet launch took place in October, and its initial token OM’s market capitalization rose nearly 200% over the past three months to $3.6 billion, CoinGecko data shows.

DAMAC has a history of exploring ways to use blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. In 2022, the firm began accepting cryptocurrency payments in bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH), in line with the UAE’s ambitions to become a crypto hub.

Notably, President-elect Donald Trump said earlier this week during a press conference that DAMAC was making plans for a $20 billion investment in data centers across several US states.