Roubini Backs Tokenized ETF USAFi for Q3 2026 Launch as $30 Billion RWA Market Expands
Updated
Updated · CoinDesk · Jun 23
Roubini Backs Tokenized ETF USAFi for Q3 2026 Launch as $30 Billion RWA Market Expands
2 articles · Updated · CoinDesk · Jun 23
Summary
Q3 2026 is the target for USAFi, a tokenized version of the Nasdaq-listed Atlas America Fund ETF that Nouriel Roubini helped design in a newly announced whitepaper.
Dubai's VARA framework will govern the launch, while Securitize will supply the tokenization infrastructure for what it called Roubini's first move into blockchain finance.
Roubini's shift is notable because the longtime crypto critic says USAFi differs from most digital assets by being backed by real-world holdings—U.S. Treasuries, real estate, gold and agricultural commodities.
Atlas is marketing the product as a 'Technodollar' aimed at savers worried about inflation, trade wars and geopolitical stress, arguing tokenized funds can serve as digital reserve assets rather than payment stablecoins.
More broadly, the launch adds to a tokenization boom led by firms such as BlackRock, Franklin Templeton and Apollo, pushing tokenized real-world assets above $30 billion excluding stablecoins.