The cryptocurrency world witnessed a surprising surge in May as Collaterize, a relatively low-profile token built on Solana, skyrocketed by over 10 times in value. Just months after launching with a modest market cap hovering around $9 million, Collaterize broke through $90 million in valuation—briefly peaking before settling at around $54 million. The catalyst? A single retweet from Toly, one of Solana’s co-creators, sharing the project’s App Demo on May 18. But behind the viral moment lies a deeper narrative reshaping Solana’s ecosystem: the rise of Internet Capital Markets (ICM).
This isn’t just another meme-fueled pump. Collaterize represents a new wave of Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization projects aiming to redefine how value is created, shared, and accessed in decentralized finance. And its sudden spotlight ties directly into a growing movement championed by Lily Liu, Chair of the Solana Foundation.
What Is ICM? The Next Evolution of On-Chain Finance
A few years ago, Solana promoted the idea of becoming an “on-chain NASDAQ”—a decentralized platform where startups could launch and trade equity-like tokens. But as traditional financial institutions began exploring blockchain themselves, the narrative evolved. Enter Internet Capital Markets (ICM): a crypto-native framework that flips traditional fundraising on its head.
👉 Discover how decentralized finance is redefining global capital access.
Unlike traditional capital markets (TCMs), which rely on venture capitalists, IPOs, and institutional gatekeepers, ICM enables entrepreneurs to raise funds directly from internet communities through token issuance. No intermediaries. No lengthy compliance hurdles. Just open, permissionless participation.
Lily Liu has been one of ICM’s most vocal advocates. She envisions a future where 5.5 billion internet users—not just accredited investors—can engage in capital formation, investment, and ownership. In her words, ICM aims to build a global financial infrastructure that removes geographic, economic, and bureaucratic barriers.
Projects like Believe, which allows creators to launch tokens directly via X (formerly Twitter), have already demonstrated ICM’s potential. But Collaterize is taking it a step further by anchoring digital tokens to tangible assets.
Collaterize: Bridging RWAs with ICM Infrastructure
Founded by two former Microsoft engineers, Collaterize operates at the intersection of RWA tokenization and ICM infrastructure. The platform allows individuals and businesses to tokenize real-world assets—such as invoices, revenue streams, or equipment—and issue collateralized digital tokens backed by verifiable cash flows.
This approach merges the trustlessness of blockchain with the stability of income-generating assets. Instead of speculative staking or yield farming, investors gain exposure to predictable returns derived from actual economic activity.
For example:
- A small business can tokenize six months of future receivables.
- These cash flows are verified via secure APIs and smart contracts.
- Tokens representing fractional ownership are issued on Solana, tradable in real time.
The result? Faster access to capital for businesses and transparent, yield-bearing opportunities for global investors—all without banks or brokers.
Since its January launch, Collaterize had maintained a steady presence without major hype. That changed when Toly shared the app demo. The retweet didn’t just boost visibility—it validated Collaterize as a core piece of Solana’s ICM roadmap.
Why Solana Is Doubling Down on ICM
Solana’s technical advantages—high throughput, low fees, and fast finality—make it uniquely suited for high-frequency financial applications like ICM. But beyond infrastructure, the ecosystem is actively cultivating use cases that align with this vision.
The Solana Foundation has funded multiple ICM-focused startups, including Believe and Tensor Trade, while pushing for better tooling around identity, compliance, and asset verification. The goal is clear: make Solana the default layer for community-driven capital formation.
Moreover, ICM aligns with broader trends in Web3:
- Democratization of finance: Anyone with internet access can invest.
- Ownership economy: Users hold equity-like stakes in projects they support.
- Programmable capital: Smart contracts automate dividends, voting rights, and vesting schedules.
With Collaterize gaining traction, the ecosystem now has a working model for income-generating tokenized assets—a critical component of a mature on-chain economy.
👉 See how next-gen financial platforms are unlocking real-world value.
Core Keywords Driving the Narrative
To understand the momentum behind Collaterize and ICM, consider these core keywords shaping search intent and community discussion:
- Internet Capital Markets (ICM)
- RWA tokenization
- Solana ecosystem
- Real-world assets crypto
- Decentralized fundraising
- On-chain finance
- Tokenized revenue streams
- Community-driven investment
These terms reflect growing interest in practical DeFi applications beyond speculation. They also highlight users’ desire for transparency, yield security, and inclusive participation—all central to Collaterize’s mission.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Internet Capital Markets (ICM)?
ICM refers to decentralized platforms where entrepreneurs raise capital directly from online communities via token issuance. It bypasses traditional intermediaries like VCs and banks, enabling open, global participation in early-stage funding.
How does Collaterize differ from other RWA projects?
While many RWA initiatives focus on real estate or bonds, Collaterize specializes in short-term revenue streams like invoices and SaaS contracts. This allows for faster liquidity cycles and more dynamic token models.
Why did Collaterize’s price surge in May?
The surge followed a retweet from Toly, a Solana co-founder, who shared Collaterize’s App Demo video on May 18. This endorsement signaled strong alignment with Solana’s ICM vision and triggered widespread investor interest.
Can anyone create a token on Collaterize?
Yes—but only asset originators with verifiable cash flows can initiate tokenization. The platform uses API integrations and cryptographic proofs to ensure authenticity before issuing collateralized tokens.
Is ICM regulated?
ICM operates in a gray area legally. However, platforms like Collaterize incorporate compliance layers such as KYC/AML checks and jurisdictional filters to mitigate risk and align with evolving regulatory expectations.
What’s next for ICM on Solana?
Expect tighter integration with identity protocols (e.g., Worldcoin), cross-chain asset bridging, and AI-driven risk scoring for tokenized assets. The long-term goal is seamless interoperability between digital and traditional finance.
👉 Explore emerging blockchain platforms transforming real-world finance.
Final Thoughts: The Future Is Built on Accessible Capital
The 10x surge in Collaterize’s value wasn’t just hype—it was a market vote for a new financial paradigm. As Internet Capital Markets mature on Solana, projects like Collaterize provide the infrastructure needed to back digital tokens with real economic value.
From former Microsoft engineers to top blockchain founders, the momentum is clear: the future of finance isn’t confined to Wall Street. It’s unfolding across decentralized networks, powered by code, community, and innovation.
And with ICM at the helm, Solana may very well become the first blockchain to deliver on crypto’s original promise: financial inclusion at scale.