Kraken, a major US-based cryptocurrency exchange, has launched tokenised trading for Apple, Tesla, and Nvidia stocks outside the United States, utilising the Solana blockchain to provide international investors with round-the-clock access to these popular securities.

The new service, branded as “xStocks,” enables users to trade tokenised versions of over 50 popular stocks and exchange-traded funds. This initiative represents a significant expansion of Kraken’s international offerings, targeting investors in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia who previously faced barriers accessing US equity markets during traditional trading hours.

Kraken has established a partnership with Backed Finance to ensure these digital tokens are backed by actual stocks, maintaining value alignment with the underlying shares. This arrangement provides investors with confidence that their tokenised holdings reflect real market positions rather than synthetic derivatives.

The tokenisation process creates digital representations of ownership in underlying securities, allowing investors to hold tokens instead of physical shares whilst maintaining the ability to redeem them for cash value. The Solana blockchain infrastructure supports these xStocks tokens, providing security and transparency for all transactions conducted on the platform.

International investors can now access US stock markets continuously, breaking down traditional barriers that previously limited trading to standard market hours. This development addresses a long-standing challenge for global investors who sought exposure to major American companies but were constrained by time zone differences and market closures.

The exchange’s decision to launch this service exclusively outside the United States reflects the current regulatory environment, which has become more favourable for cryptocurrency exchanges following policy changes. This climate has enabled crypto platforms to innovate and expand their offerings with reduced regulatory scrutiny compared to previous years.

The tokenisation of traditional securities represents a growing convergence between conventional finance and cryptocurrency markets. This intersection allows for more flexible trading arrangements and continuous market access, potentially reshaping how international investors engage with US equity markets.

The broader implications of Kraken’s move extend beyond mere convenience, potentially democratising access to American financial markets for investors worldwide. International users who previously faced complex procedures and restrictions when investing in US stocks can now participate more easily through familiar cryptocurrency exchange interfaces.

This development highlights the evolving landscape of digital asset trading, where traditional boundaries between stocks and cryptocurrencies continue to blur. The success of xStocks could encourage other major exchanges to develop similar offerings, further expanding tokenised trading options for retail and institutional investors.

The launch of tokenised stock trading represents a significant milestone in the evolution of digital finance, offering international investors unprecedented access to some of the world’s most valuable companies. As regulatory frameworks continue to adapt to these innovations, such services may become increasingly common across the cryptocurrency exchange sector.

Citation: News Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/22/kraken-opening-digital-tokens-of-apple-tesla-and-nvidia-outside-us.html