Kraken Unveils Tokenized Equities with Solana and Backed

Kraken, in partnership with Backed Finance and Solana Foundation, announced the launch of “xStocks,” a tokenized equities offering, set for May 22, 2025.

The initiative is significant for democratizing access to U.S. equities, providing global 24/7 trading. It could reshape traditional brokerage services abroad.

Kraken aims to expand market presence globally with plans to launch xStocks, featuring over 50 prominent U.S. stocks. The plan excludes U.S. investors due to regulatory issues. Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken, emphasized the global ambitions during the announcement:

“The upcoming xStocks offering marks a significant step in our effort to democratize access to equity markets globally.”

Backed Finance will hold underlying shares, ensuring that each xStock token corresponds to actual securities. This partnership with Solana showcases their stake in DeFi’s growing ecosystem.

This launch opens possibilities for crypto market expansion and enhances investment accessibility, targeting regions unable to access U.S. equities. Reduced fees and elimination of local barriers are emphasized by experts. Financial markets may experience shifts in their accessibility models, targeting regions like Europe and Asia. Kraken’s move reflects a strategic maneuver into tokenized securities—a market that saw growth to around $65 billion recently. This aligns with growing institutional interest in blockchain finance. If Kraken succeeds, consequences might include shifts in traditional broker models. Data from prior initiatives, such as Binance’s tokenized stocks, suggest careful regulatory navigation is critical, which Kraken confirms it is prioritizing.