Layer-1 blockchain Hedera, identified by its HBAR token, has emerged as the leading project in the real-world asset (RWA) segment based on recent development activity. The assessment comes from new data released by crypto analytics firm Santiment, which tracks and compares developer engagement across blockchain projects. According to the findings, Hedera moved into first place after surpassing several established competitors within the RWA ecosystem.
Santiment’s latest rankings focus on development trends observed over the past 30 days, drawing insights from GitHub activity across multiple blockchain networks. The analytics firm evaluates meaningful contributions rather than routine or automated updates, allowing the rankings to reflect substantive progress rather than surface-level code changes. Based on this methodology, Hedera demonstrated the highest level of notable development activity during the period under review.
Shifts Among Major Blockchain Projects
The updated rankings indicate notable movement among other prominent blockchain networks involved in real-world asset use cases. Chainlink, a blockchain oracle network widely used for connecting smart contracts with off-chain data, secured the second position. Avalanche, a layer-1 blockchain often positioned as a competitor to Ethereum, followed closely in third place. Payments-focused blockchain Stellar ranked fourth, reflecting continued development momentum in financial infrastructure-related projects.
Further down the list, IOTA advanced into fifth position, signaling increased development engagement compared to the previous month. In contrast, Chia slipped to sixth place, suggesting a relative decline in development activity during the same timeframe. VeChain, Lumerin, and Creditcoin all recorded upward movement in the rankings, placing seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively. Injective completed the top ten, despite falling one position compared to the prior assessment.
Santiment’s directional indicators show how each project’s standing has changed month over month, offering additional context on whether development intensity is accelerating or slowing. These shifts suggest that competition within the RWA sector remains dynamic, with projects frequently exchanging positions as development priorities evolve.
🧑💻 Here are crypto's top Real World Assets (RWA's) by development. Directional indicators represent each project's ranking rise or fall since last month:
➡️ 1) @hedera $HBAR 🥇
➡️ 2) @chainlink $LINK 🥈
➡️ 3) @avax $AVAX 🥉
➡️ 4) @stellarorg $XLM
📈 5) @iota $IOTA
📉 6)… pic.twitter.com/uTHP9nktz8— Santiment (@santimentfeed) February 2, 2026
How Santiment Measures Development Activity
Santiment has clarified that its development rankings are designed to filter out noise and emphasize meaningful engineering progress. The firm excludes routine code maintenance, minor documentation updates, and other repetitive actions that may inflate raw activity metrics without indicating genuine advancement. Instead, its proprietary methodology highlights significant GitHub events that reflect active building, innovation, and long-term commitment by development teams.
According to the analytics provider, sustained and consistent development activity is often interpreted as a positive signal for blockchain projects. High levels of engagement may indicate that teams are continuing to invest resources into improving their platforms, expanding functionality, and addressing technical challenges. Conversely, declining development trends can sometimes suggest reduced focus or stalled progress, although Santiment has noted that development metrics should be evaluated alongside other indicators.
Implications for the RWA Sector
The real-world asset sector has gained increased attention as blockchain projects seek to tokenize physical and financial assets such as real estate, commodities, and traditional securities. Strong development activity in this area may reflect growing interest in bridging blockchain infrastructure with traditional financial systems. Hedera’s rise to the top of Santiment’s rankings suggests that its development team is actively working to strengthen its position within this emerging segment.
While Santiment’s data does not predict market performance, it provides insight into which projects are most actively building behind the scenes. For investors and industry observers, development rankings offer one perspective on long-term project viability, particularly in sectors like RWA where technical execution plays a critical role. As competition intensifies, continued shifts in development leadership are likely as blockchain networks adapt to evolving real-world use cases.