China is pioneering a controlled approach to integrate its domestic electric vehicle charging network into global capital markets by tokenizing $300 million of infrastructure assets, marking a key development in navigating capital controls and crypto restrictions.
- China’s 2026 framework allows offshore issuance of tokens tied to onshore assets with regulator approval.
- The $300 million EV-charging asset tokenization is among the first under this national scheme.
- China leads globally with 20 million charging points and rapid electric vehicle adoption.
What happened
China has launched a $300 million tokenization initiative for real-world assets in the electric vehicle (EV) charging sector. This initiative involves converting physical, income-generating infrastructure into digital securities available to offshore investors. The project is led by Golden Dolphin Trading L.L.C., a UAE-registered company linked to mainland China’s new-energy transport, with advisory from RWA Global Inc. The move marks one of the first tokenized infrastructure deals following China's issuance of new regulatory guidelines.
Why it matters
This controlled experiment reflects China’s strategic intent to attract global capital for its rapidly expanding clean-energy and EV infrastructure while maintaining strict digital currency and capital control regimes. China dominates the global EV market, with over 65% of public charging points worldwide and a majority of new energy vehicle sales in 2025 sold domestically, underscoring the scale and financial potential of infrastructure investments.
The tokenization approach addresses a longstanding challenge: facilitating foreign investment into cash-flowing Chinese industrial assets without violating capital controls. By wrapping rights to infrastructure revenue streams in regulated digital securities, China is creating a new investment vehicle that bridges domestic development ambitions with international capital demand. This mirrors earlier sandbox projects in Hong Kong but benefits from a comprehensive national rulebook.
What to watch next
The success and scalability of these deals will also be examined in the context of China’s broader crypto stance. While allowing this narrow tokenization channel, the government maintains tight restrictions on onshore token activity and digital currencies, signaling cautious experimentation. Observers will watch how this model influences cross-border capital flows, investor confidence, and the development of secondary markets for tokenized Chinese infrastructure globally.