Open World establishes Saudi Arabia’s first real-world asset tokenization center, supporting Vision 2030 and compliant access to global capital markets.
Open World Ltd., a blockchain infrastructure company focused on large-scale digital asset deployment, has announced the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization Center of Excellence, marking a significant step in the Kingdom’s push toward regulated digital finance.
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The new center, to be established as a fully licensed in-Kingdom entity, will support the compliant tokenization of physical and financial assets for sovereign, enterprise, and institutional clients across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 Financial Sector Development Program, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a globally competitive financial hub.
The announcement follows Open World’s January 2026 disclosure of its plans to merge with VerifyMe, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRME), a move that would position the combined entity as a publicly listed infrastructure provider in the digital asset and tokenization space.
As Saudi regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, the Center of Excellence will enable tokenization across a range of asset classes, including energy infrastructure, real estate, sovereign bonds, and tokenized carbon reduction credits. Over time, the platform is also expected to support regulated stablecoins, subject to approval by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and the Capital Market Authority (CMA).
Tokenized assets will be deployed on Open World’s sovereign-scale tokenization infrastructure, introduced in December 2025 through a partnership with Abstract. The platform is designed to meet Saudi requirements around data residency, security, and regulatory oversight, while opening new pathways for domestic assets to access global capital markets.
“Saudi Arabia is shaping the global conversation on how digital assets can serve national economic priorities,” said Matt Shaw, co-founder and CEO of Open World. “By establishing our Center of Excellence in Al Khobar, we are committing to building under Saudi regulations, with infrastructure designed to keep value creation within the Kingdom while attracting international investment.”
Initial focus areas include energy asset tokenization, real estate development financing, and on-chain verification of carbon reduction credits. The center will operate to sovereign-grade standards, emphasizing localization, security controls, and long-term economic alignment.
The facility is expected to begin full operations in 2026, with pilot projects targeted for launch by mid-year. Open World said it will work closely with regulators, financial institutions, and government entities to develop standardized frameworks for investor protection and compliant tokenization.
Why Open World Matters to MENA
- Signals Saudi leadership in regulated tokenization: The launch positions Saudi Arabia as an early regional mover in compliant real-world asset tokenization, not speculative crypto activity.
- Unlocks new capital pathways: Tokenizing assets such as energy infrastructure and real estate enables Gulf economies to attract global capital while maintaining sovereign control.
- Boosts fintech and Web3 startups: The Center creates infrastructure and regulatory clarity for regional fintechs building asset-backed, compliant digital finance products.
- Advances Vision 2030 goals: By modernizing capital markets and diversifying funding sources, RWA tokenization directly supports Saudi Arabia’s financial sector transformation agenda.
