2025-03-05 06:11:20 by CoinGape

John Patrick Mullin is a Hong Kong-based entrepreneur and builder, focused on DeFi, blockchain technology, digital assets, and Web3. He is currently the CEO and co-founder of MANTRA, a Layer 1 blockchain for RWA tokenization, and SOMA.finance. He has been investing/building in the crypto and digital assets space for over 10 years, having worked in decentralized finance and exchange/brokerage businesses. John was introduced to Bitcoin in 2013 while earning his International Business degree at SLU-Madrid. He later pursued a dual Master’s Degree in Management from European Business School in Wiesbaden, Germany, and Economics from Tongji University in Shanghai, China, leading to a research analyst role at one of the largest Chinese state-owned banks.  Recently, J.P. Mullin’s MANTRA has been making waves in the RWA tokenization market by partnering with Google Cloud to launch RWAccelerator and its finance arm, MANTA Finance securing the first Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Dubai.  The growth of this Layer 1 Blockchain also got reflected in the markets, with its native token, OM price reaching an all-time high of $7.95, which ended up contributing $1.6 billion to its market capitalization. In this exclusive interview with MANTRA CEO and Co-founder, John Patrick Mullin, he sheds light on the potential of RWA Market,  evolution in the next five years and the challenges currently limiting RWA Market expansion. Besides speaking on the latest updates of launch and license approval, he also discusses future insights and evolving regulatory tides in the growing domain of DeFi. Question #1 What inspired you to enter the RWA market and establish MANTRA? What specific opportunities in RWA tokenization led you to create MANTRA Chain as a Layer 1 blockchain? The financial world is undergoing a significant shift, and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization is part of that shift. Today, trillions of dollars are locked in inefficient systems—real estate, private credit, infrastructure investments—assets that traditionally require significant capital and lengthy processes to trade or access. We saw an opportunity to change that. MANTRA was built to bridge institutional finance with blockchain, making these assets more accessible, liquid, and efficient. Instead of relying on outdated financial rails, we created a layer 1 blockchain designed for RWA tokenization, ensuring compliance, security, and seamless integration with DeFi and traditional financial markets. We aim to bring high-quality, regulated assets on-chain and make them accessible to a global audience—whether it’s institutions looking for new financial instruments or retail investors gaining access to previously exclusive markets. Question #2 Beyond technology, how does MANTRA's approach to compliance, partnerships, and user adoption set it apart? Tokenizing real-world assets isn’t just about putting them onchain—it requires regulatory clarity, institutional trust, and real adoption. From the start, MANTRA took a compliance-first approach. Unlike many blockchains trying to fit into regulations later, MANTRA was built for seamless, compliant RWA tokenization from day one. Trust is key, and our partnerships with financial institutions, asset managers, and real estate developers prove that MANTRA isn’t just another blockchain—it’s the foundation for real, investable assets. At the same time, we ensure accessibility for both institutional and retail investors, making it easy to engage with RWAs through an intuitive and legally sound platform. Question #3 With MANTRA’s growing impact in DeFi, what key trends do you foresee shaping real-world adoption over the next five years? What will drive mainstream institutions toward RWA tokenization? Institutional finance is moving on-chain, and tokenized RWAs are becoming a priority for major players like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton. Over the next five years, we’ll see regulated, blockchain-based financial products replace outdated systems, with banks, asset managers, and sovereign wealth funds adopting tokenized securities at scale. Regulatory clarity will accelerate this shift. Regions like Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore are leading with frameworks that support tokenized assets; as frameworks become clearer, tokenized assets will become a default choice for financial institutions. Finally, tokenization unlocks entirely new markets, enabling fractional ownership and cross-border investments. Once reserved for large investors, real estate, private credit, and infrastructure, will be digitally tradeable and accessible worldwide, fueling mass adoption of RWAs on platforms like MANTRA. Question #4 Where do you see the regulatory tides evolving towards in the near future? Do you think they'll become more compliant or strict given that recently your DeFi platform, MANTRA Finance, received VASP License in Dubai? Adoption comes from regulation. Forward-thinking jurisdictions like Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore set the standard with well-defined digital asset policies, allowing compliant platforms like MANTRA to scale confidently. MANTRA was the first DeFi to secure a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), to operate as a Virtual Asset Exchange, as well as provide Broker-Dealer and Management and Investment Services. ‍This is proof of two things. Firstly, regulators are willing to support responsible, regulated DeFi platforms and tokenized assets. Secondly, the UAE is an even more vibrant ecosystem for Web3 because of it.  While some regions still apply legacy laws to digital assets, global financial hubs create tailored regulations to make tokenized RWAs more accessible and widely accepted. The winners in RWA tokenization will be the ones that embrace compliance, secure institutional trust, and integrate seamlessly into the global financial system—precisely what MANTRA is building toward. Question #5 MANTRA recently also launched RWAccelerator to accelerate innovation in the RWA tokenization space. How do you think it will help in providing shoulder to budding startups in the RWA world? Our vision is to empower builders and startups with investment capital, mentors, dedicated AI support and more, so they can build scalable, regulatory-compliant solutions that boost the RWA space. Startups often face significant hurdles like regulatory complexity, a lack of capital, and infrastructure challenges. So many elements need to be considered, and knowing about them before you embark on a project will be incredibly beneficial. By providing a strong foundation from the beginning, we’re enabling new projects to focus on what they’re good at, and help them where needed, all with a view to sustainable growth. Question #6 Following up on the previous question only, your collaboration with Google Cloud received significant attention. Can we expect more such collaborations in future? What role, according to you, do cloud providers like Google Cloud can play in scaling decentralized finance and tokenized assets? Yes, we see more collaborations like Google Cloud playing a key role in the future of tokenized finance. Large-scale cloud providers bring institutional-grade security, scalability, and infrastructure that decentralized networks need to bridge traditional finance with blockchain. With Google Cloud, we’re enhancing validator infrastructure, data analytics, and security for tokenized assets—all critical factors for institutions looking to enter this space. As the market matures, expect more partnerships between blockchain networks, cloud providers, and financial institutions to create scalable, regulated, and high-performance ecosystems for RWAs. Question #7 Are there any upcoming technological developments or partnerships that you’re particularly excited about?  I’m excited about projects we’ve been working on coming to fruition; these might be those we’ve already announced (like our recent Damac announcement) or others in the pipeline. We’re constantly working on expanding MANTRA’s ecosystem through partnership announcements, new infrastructure upgrades, supporting developer tools, and integrations with institutional partners.  Question #8 What are the biggest hurdles currently limiting RWA market expansion? Different jurisdictions have varying approaches to digital assets, creating uncertainty for institutions that want to enter the space. We see regional regulation, but not global. Additionally, integration challenges between blockchain and traditional finance slow down adoption. Many institutions still rely on legacy systems, and the transition to tokenized finance requires infrastructure that can seamlessly connect on-chain and off-chain assets. Question #9 How is MANTRA planning to address these challenges to scale further? We actively engage with regulators in leading jurisdictions and welcome open dialogue to ensure that our blockchain meets legal and compliance requirements, making it easier for institutions to confidently tokenize and trade assets. Our presence in regulatory-forward markets like the UAE allows us to set a benchmark for compliant RWA tokenization while also preparing for future regulatory harmonization across global markets. At the same time, we are building stronger liquidity pathways by working with financial institutions, asset managers, and established DeFi liquidity providers to bring more capital into the tokenized finance ecosystem. By fostering strategic partnerships and integrating with liquidity networks, we’re making RWAs more accessible and tradable at scale. Finally, scalable infrastructure remains a core focus, with cloud partnerships like Google Cloud, enhanced validator networks, and compliance tools ensuring institutions can quickly adopt and integrate tokenized assets into their financial models. With a clear strategy for compliance, liquidity, and usability and a focused team, MANTRA is well-positioned to drive the next growth phase in the RWA market. Disclaimer The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.