Kraken, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has expanded its services to European clients by introducing trading in tokenized U.S. stocks. The move opens up new opportunities for investors across the EU to access American equities through blockchain technology, reflecting the growing convergence of traditional finance and digital assets.
With this launch, Kraken users in Europe can trade over 60 tokenized stocks, including major names like Apple, Meta Platforms, and GameStop. The offering is powered by Backed Finance’s xStocks platform, which issues blockchain-based certificates that mirror the value of the underlying shares. Investors can buy, sell, and hold these digital tokens, just as they would with traditional equities.
Tokenized stocks bring several advantages to the table. They allow trading beyond standard market hours, can be used as collateral within blockchain ecosystems, and enable fractional ownership—making U.S. markets more accessible to smaller investors or those seeking flexible trading options.
Still, the market remains relatively niche. Industry tracker rwa.xyz estimates the total value of tokenized equities at around $421 million, highlighting its early-stage status. Most of these tokens are issued by third-party platforms rather than the companies themselves, a fact that has prompted some caution from industry players.
Kraken’s move follows a broader trend among fintech firms. Robinhood recently launched tokenized securities for its EU customers, including digital representations of shares in high-profile private companies. At the same time, voices within the tech sector, such as OpenAI, have warned about the risks tied to unofficially issued tokens.
For Kraken, the expansion represents another step in making global markets more accessible through blockchain innovation. While tokenized equities are still developing, they highlight the growing demand for financial products that blend the accessibility of digital assets with the stability of traditional investments.
