Nasdaq Partners With Kraken to Launch Tokenized Stocks in the U.S.

• Nasdaq and Kraken are partnering to let companies issue tokenized shares that carry full legal rights like traditional stocks.
• The platform is expected to launch in the first half of 2027, pending regulatory approvals.

Nasdaq has announced a partnership with cryptocurrency exchange Kraken and its parent company Payward to develop infrastructure for tokenized stocks and related equity products. The collaboration aims to enable publicly traded companies to issue and trade blockchain‑based versions of their shares while preserving legal rights and regulatory oversight.

Under the plan, Nasdaq will build an “equity token design” that allows tokenized versions of stocks and exchange‑traded products (ETPs) to be integrated with its regulated market systems. Each tokenized share will remain legally equivalent to the underlying security, with holders entitled to the same voting rights and dividend benefits as traditional shareholders. The approach is designed to maintain issuer control, investor protections, and market integrity.

How Nasdaq and Kraken Plan to Trade Tokenized Shares Securely

Kraken’s role will focus on distribution and settlement infrastructure through its xStocks tokenized equities framework. The companies said they plan to build an “equities transformation gateway” to move tokenized shares between Nasdaq systems and blockchain networks. This allows investors to trade digital shares securely within a regulated environment.

xStocks has already processed significant transaction volume and has tens of thousands of holders, reflecting growing adoption of tokenized equity products. 

The initiative builds on a Nasdaq proposal filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2025 to support trading and settlement of tokenized securities alongside traditional shares. Nasdaq expects the equity token design and related services to become operational in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.

Nasdaq President Tal Cohen said tokenization could enhance how investors access markets and how issuers engage with shareholders. The collaboration reflects broader industry interest in bridging traditional finance infrastructure with blockchain‑based systems. 

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