Exclusive: Rome Protocol Partners with KiiChain to Enhance RWA Tokenization in LATAM

Rome Protocol and KiiChain have announced a partnership aimed at driving the adoption of blockchain-based financial solutions across Latin America (LATAM), with a specific focus on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and cross-chain payment finance. This collaboration seeks to unlock new liquidity opportunities for businesses, developers, and financial institutions in the region.

One of the key goals of this partnership is to simplify and accelerate RWA tokenization—the process of converting physical or traditional financial assets, such as real estate or commodities, into digital tokens that can be traded on blockchain networks. This innovation enables fractional ownership and increases accessibility, allowing more people to invest in high-value assets. Mexico, for example, is exploring real estate tokenization to enable fractional ownership, while Argentina is focusing on tokenized agricultural commodities as collateral for farm financing, according to Anil Kumar, CEO of Rome Protocol.

RWA tokenization is gaining traction globally, with blockchain platforms like Solana being recognized for their ability to support such solutions. However, as Alex Cavallero, co-founder of KiiChain, pointed out, users in LATAM and other emerging markets are not fully integrated into the Solana ecosystem. The partnership aims to solve this by connecting the Rome Protocol’s interoperability layer with KiiChain’s blockchain infrastructure, creating new avenues for liquidity between Solana and LATAM users.

Rome Protocol will contribute its framework for RWA issuance, verification, and trading, while KiiChain, a Layer 1 blockchain designed for emerging markets, will provide its PayFi module, which facilitates blockchain-based payments, lending, and financial services. This collaboration is expected to improve cross-chain liquidity, streamline compliance, and support both institutional and retail adoption of tokenized assets.

The project’s scope includes making RWA assets more accessible across multiple blockchain ecosystems by using the Rome Protocol to mirror KiiChain’s assets as ERC tokens for broader DeFi access. On-chain verification will ensure regulatory compliance, which is crucial in the LATAM market.

Some of the key financial products that will benefit from the partnership include stablecoin-powered yield vaults and real estate investments. Fractional ownership is a significant advantage, allowing investors to buy and sell smaller portions of high-value assets, like real estate, which could democratize access to such markets, according to Kumar.

LATAM’s growing crypto market has been a key driver of the partnership. In 2024, Latin America accounted for 9.1% of global crypto inflows and 20% of the top countries in Chainalysis’ Global Crypto Adoption Index. This growth has been fueled by stablecoin remittances, which offer a more reliable alternative to inflation-affected local currencies. As blockchain adoption increases, the demand for tokenizing real-world assets is expected to rise, creating new opportunities for both financial institutions and retail investors to engage in blockchain-based financial services without relying on traditional banking intermediaries.

Despite this progress, challenges remain in institutional adoption. Regulatory uncertainty, limited infrastructure, and educational gaps continue to slow the adoption of RWA tokenization in LATAM. While progress is being made, Kumar pointed out that unclear regulations can deter institutions from fully embracing this technology. Moreover, a lack of blockchain knowledge and adequate infrastructure remains a significant barrier to large-scale adoption in the region.

In summary, the partnership between Rome Protocol and KiiChain is poised to enhance liquidity and access to tokenized real-world assets in Latin America, creating new opportunities for investors while overcoming the existing challenges in the region’s crypto market.