The Ethereum blockchain has evolved far beyond its origins as a decentralized platform for cryptocurrencies. Today, it serves as a foundational layer for global enterprises across finance, fashion, gaming, and entertainment to innovate with blockchain-native applications. From tokenized real-world assets (RWA) to immersive Web3 gaming experiences, traditional companies are leveraging Ethereum—and its Layer-2 (L2) scaling solutions—to build scalable, transparent, and interoperable digital ecosystems.
This article explores how major non-crypto-native corporations are utilizing Ethereum’s infrastructure, focusing on high-impact use cases like RWA, NFTs, and blockchain-based games built on L2 networks such as Arbitrum, Base, and ZKsync.
Key Use Cases Driving Enterprise Adoption
Over 50 established companies outside the crypto-native sphere are actively building products and services on Ethereum or its Layer-2 networks. These include luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Adidas, automotive giants such as Porsche and Lamborghini, and financial institutions including Deutsche Bank, PayPal, and BlackRock.
While these companies do not focus on general crypto market infrastructure—such as exchanges or custody services—they are pioneering blockchain-specific innovations in:
- Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization
- NFTs for digital ownership and engagement
- Web3 developer tools
- Scalable Layer-2 blockchain infrastructure
These initiatives reflect a strategic shift: enterprises are no longer just integrating crypto support into existing systems but are creating entirely new offerings that only blockchain technology can enable.
Real-World Assets (RWA) on Ethereum
One of the most transformative developments in enterprise blockchain adoption is the tokenization of real-world assets. Financial institutions—including banks, asset managers, and payment processors—are increasingly issuing RWAs on Ethereum due to its robust security, decentralization, and widespread institutional trust.
Among 20 financial firms identified as building crypto-specific infrastructure, 13 are issuing RWAs on Ethereum or Ethereum L2s. Examples include:
- Franklin Templeton’s OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund – A tokenized money market fund.
- European Investment Bank (EIB) – Issued blockchain-based government bonds.
- BlackRock’s BUIDL Fund – The third-largest tokenized fund across all blockchains as of early 2025.
Why Ethereum Leads in RWA
Ethereum dominates the RWA landscape with nearly ten times more tokenized asset value than its closest competitor, Stellar. Six out of the top 10 RWA protocols operate on Ethereum or its L2s.
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, launched BUIDL on Ethereum in March 2024 through a partnership with Securitize and BNY Mellon. The fund offers investors yield-bearing exposure to U.S. dollar assets with instant settlement and cross-chain interoperability.
“Through tokenization, we’re taking traditional financial exposures and putting them into a crypto-native wrapper,” said Robert Mitchnick, Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock.
Since its debut, BUIDL has expanded to five additional chains—three of which are Ethereum L2s—highlighting the importance of multi-chain deployment while maintaining Ethereum as the primary issuance layer.
As of February 2025, over 160 RWAs have been issued on Ethereum, distributed across more than 60,000 unique active wallets—excluding stablecoins.
Stablecoins: Bridging Traditional Finance and Web3
Alongside RWA growth, enterprise-backed stablecoins are gaining momentum on Ethereum. These dollar-pegged digital currencies serve as critical rails for fast, transparent, and low-cost financial transactions.
Notable examples:
- PayPal USD (PYUSD) – Launched on Ethereum in August 2023 and later expanded to Solana.
- USDG by Robinhood – Introduced in November 2024 in collaboration with Galaxy Digital, Kraken, Paxos, and others.
Ethereum holds over 50% of the global stablecoin market share, with total supply growing by 70% in the past year alone. Most are backed by high-quality liquid assets (HQLA), ensuring stability and regulatory compliance.
According to Galaxy Research, the total stablecoin supply is projected to surpass **$400 billion by 2025**. A key catalyst? Stripe’s $1 billion acquisition of Bridge, a stablecoin payments platform, signaling strong institutional confidence.
“Stablecoins are the room-temperature superconductors of financial services,” said Stripe CEO Patrick Collison. “They’ll bring dramatic improvements in speed, reach, and cost.”
Regulatory clarity in the U.S., including statements from SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce advocating for tokenized securities and modernized financial infrastructure, further accelerates adoption.
👉 Explore how institutions use regulated stablecoins to power borderless financial innovation.
Scalable Blockchain Infrastructure via Layer-2 Rollups
While Ethereum provides unmatched security and decentralization, its base layer faces scalability challenges—high fees and slower transaction speeds compared to alternatives like Solana.
To address this, enterprises are turning to Layer-2 rollups, which inherit Ethereum’s security while enabling high throughput and low-cost transactions.
Deutsche Bank & Project DAMA 2
Germany’s largest bank, Deutsche Bank, is collaborating with Matter Labs to develop a custom ZKSync-based rollup under Project DAMA 2. This initiative is part of a broader MAS-led consortium involving 25 global financial institutions exploring public blockchains in finance.
The goal? Build a compliant, auditable, and interoperable blockchain infrastructure tailored for regulated financial services.
“ZKsync gives institutions the ability to build in Web3 without compromise—offering customization, privacy, scalability, and cross-chain interoperability,” said Alex Gluchowski, co-inventor of ZKsync.
Sony’s Soneium: A Corporate Vision for Web3
In a bold move into digital ecosystems, Sony launched Soneium, its own OP Stack-based rollup on Ethereum. Designed to support gaming, finance, and entertainment applications, Soneium reflects Sony’s commitment to building Web3 experiences aligned with its mission: “Fill the world with emotion through creativity and technology.”
Despite early criticism over address blacklisting—particularly around memecoins—the project underscores corporate interest in balancing innovation with control on public blockchains.
Gaming on Ethereum Layer-2 Networks
Gaming has emerged as a primary driver of NFT utility in 2025—not for speculative trading, but as integral components of immersive, interoperable game economies.
Companies like Atari, Lamborghini, and Lotte Group are now building blockchain games almost exclusively on Ethereum L2s to handle high-frequency transactions efficiently.
Atari on Base
In July 2024, Atari deployed its classic titles Asteroids and Breakout on Base, Coinbase’s optimistic rollup. Players could earn rewards, mint exclusive NFTs, and redeem physical merchandise—all powered by low-cost L2 transactions.
Lamborghini x Animoca Brands: FastForWorld
In October 2024, Lamborghini partnered with Animoca Brands to launch FastForWorld, a digital collectibles platform where players can buy, sell, and race Lamborghini vehicles across multiple Web3 games—including Torque Drift 2 and REVV Racing.
All in-game assets are minted on Base, enabling true blockchain-based interoperability—the first time Lamborghini vehicles have been integrated into cross-game Web3 experiences.
Lotte’s Caliverse on Arbitrum
South Korea’s Lotte Group announced in January 2025 that its metaverse platform Caliverse would be built on Arbitrum. Already live, Caliverse supports shopping, virtual concerts, and gaming—with plans to introduce VR and 3D movie features in 2025.
“Arbitrum’s 250-millisecond block time enables seamless virtual worlds,” said Steven Goldfeder, CEO of Offchain Labs. “It’s the ideal foundation for next-gen entertainment.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why are companies choosing Ethereum over other blockchains?
A: Ethereum offers the highest level of decentralization, security, developer support, and institutional trust—making it ideal for regulated applications like RWA and stablecoins.
Q: What are Layer-2 rollups and why do enterprises use them?
A: L2 rollups scale Ethereum by processing transactions off-chain while securing data on-chain. They offer lower fees and faster speeds without sacrificing security—critical for gaming and financial applications.
Q: Are NFTs still relevant for big brands in 2025?
A: Yes—but their role has evolved. Instead of standalone collectibles, NFTs now serve as digital assets within games and loyalty programs, especially on scalable L2 networks.
Q: Which industries are leading Ethereum adoption?
A: Financial services lead in RWA and stablecoin issuance, while gaming, fashion, and entertainment dominate NFT innovation—particularly through L2-powered experiences.
Q: Is regulatory uncertainty slowing enterprise adoption?
A: Not necessarily. Clear guidance from regulators like the SEC—and proactive compliance efforts by firms—has created a favorable environment for institutional blockchain projects.
Q: Can traditional businesses build compliant apps on public blockchains?
A: Yes. Custom rollups like those from Deutsche Bank and Sony allow enterprises to maintain regulatory compliance while benefiting from public blockchain security and transparency.
Conclusion
In 2025, Ethereum stands as the premier blockchain for enterprise innovation. Its dual strength—security at the base layer and scalability via L2 rollups—enables diverse applications from tokenized funds to immersive Web3 games.
Key takeaways:
- RWA and stablecoins dominate financial use cases, with Ethereum as the preferred issuance chain.
- NFTs are being reimagined within gaming ecosystems built on L2s like Base and Arbitrum.
- Enterprises are investing in customizable rollups to balance scalability, compliance, and interoperability.
As more global brands recognize the strategic value of blockchain-native solutions, Ethereum’s role as a foundational layer for the future of finance and digital experience continues to grow.