The future of finance is unfolding in real time as tokenized stocks take center stage in the decentralized ecosystem. Backed, a leading innovator in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, has officially launched xStocks — a groundbreaking platform bringing over 60 tokenized equities to major crypto exchanges and blockchain networks, including Bybit, Kraken, and the high-performance Solana blockchain.
This development marks a pivotal moment in bridging traditional financial markets with decentralized finance (DeFi), offering users seamless access to blue-chip stocks like Apple, Tesla, Amazon, NVIDIA, and Microsoft — all in digital, blockchain-native form.
What Are Tokenized Stocks?
Tokenized stocks are digital representations of real-world equities, minted on a blockchain and backed 1:1 by the underlying asset. Unlike traditional stock trading, which operates within rigid market hours and geographic restrictions, tokenized stocks enable 24/7 trading, global accessibility, and self-custody — all while maintaining price parity with their off-chain counterparts through trusted oracles.
With xStocks, investors can now trade fractional shares of top-tier companies without intermediaries, unlock liquidity, and use these assets across DeFi protocols for lending, borrowing, or yield generation.
👉 Discover how tokenized assets are reshaping investment strategies in 2025.
Real-World Infrastructure Behind xStocks
Behind the scenes, xStocks relies on a robust and compliant infrastructure. The system is orchestrated by Backed’s parent company, registered in Switzerland, which controls Backed Assets based in Jersey. These entities partner with regulated financial intermediaries to ensure full compliance and asset security.
Here’s how it works:
- Stocks are purchased on U.S. markets via IBKR Prime (a division of Interactive Brokers).
- The physical shares are held in segregated accounts at Clearstream, a major international central securities depository under Deutsche Börse.
- Each token issued on-chain represents a verifiable claim on these real shares.
This structure ensures that every xStock is fully backed and auditable, combining the transparency of blockchain with the legal safeguards of traditional finance.
Chainlink oracles play a critical role by delivering real-time price feeds from traditional markets directly to the Solana blockchain, enabling accurate valuation and secure settlement.
xStocks Ecosystem Gains Rapid Traction
Since launch, the xStocks ecosystem has already surpassed $1.33 million in trading volume, with over 1,200 unique traders participating across platforms — a strong signal of early market adoption.
While 61 tokenized stocks are available, initial trading activity has concentrated around six key tickers:
- NVDA (NVIDIA)
- MSTR (MicroStrategy)
- TSLA (Tesla)
- CRCL (Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group)
- SPY (S&P 500 ETF)
- AAPL (Apple)
This concentration reflects investor appetite for high-growth tech names and macro-tracking ETFs, especially in bullish market conditions driven by AI innovation and monetary policy shifts.
Each token supports minting and freezing capabilities — essential features for regulatory compliance and risk management during corporate actions or market volatility.
Strategic Exchange Partnerships Drive Adoption
The success of xStocks hinges on its integration with top-tier crypto platforms. Two of the most influential exchanges — Bybit and Kraken — have gone live with xStocks, significantly expanding user access.
Bybit: Seamless Spot Trading Access
As the second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume, Bybit has integrated xStocks directly into its Spot Trading platform, allowing users to buy, sell, and hold tokenized equities alongside traditional cryptocurrencies.
This integration is part of the broader xStocks Alliance, a collaborative network that includes:
- Chainlink – providing secure price oracles
- Raydium – enabling automated market-making
- Jupiter – offering advanced DeFi routing
- Kamino – facilitating leveraged positions and lending
Together, these partners are building an interconnected ecosystem where tokenized stocks aren’t just tradable — they’re composable within DeFi.
Kraken: Global Rollout for Non-U.S. Users
Kraken is rolling out xStocks to more than 185 countries, starting with a phased release for eligible non-U.S. customers. The exchange currently offers over 55 tokenized assets, with plans to expand availability further.
Kraken users can now trade these assets around the clock — five days a week, 24 hours a day — and even withdraw them to self-custodial wallets. This permissionless feature unlocks powerful use cases:
- Using tokenized stocks as collateral in DeFi loans
- Participating in peer-to-peer transactions
- Earning yield through staking-compatible protocols
👉 See how global traders are leveraging tokenized equities today.
Why Solana Is the Ideal Blockchain for xStocks
Solana’s high throughput, low fees, and strong DeFi ecosystem make it the perfect foundation for xStocks. Built using SPL tokens (Solana’s equivalent of ERC-20), xStocks are natively compatible with leading DeFi platforms such as Raydium, Jupiter, and Kamino.
This composability means users can:
- Deposit NVDA tokens into a lending protocol to earn interest
- Use AAPL as collateral to borrow stablecoins
- Swap TSLA for other assets instantly via decentralized exchanges
Unlike isolated financial silos, Solana enables true financial interoperability — turning static stock holdings into dynamic, income-generating assets.
Core Keywords Driving Market Interest
The rise of xStocks aligns with growing demand for:
- Tokenized stocks
- Real-world assets (RWA)
- DeFi integration
- Solana blockchain
- 24/7 stock trading
- Self-custody investing
- Fractional shares
- Cross-chain finance
These keywords reflect both user search intent and the broader shift toward hybrid financial systems that blend traditional equity markets with blockchain efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are tokenized stocks?
Tokenized stocks are blockchain-based digital tokens representing ownership of real-world equities. Each token is backed 1:1 by actual shares held in custody, allowing users to trade and use them like crypto assets.
Are xStocks safe and regulated?
Yes. xStocks operate under strict compliance frameworks. Shares are held in segregated accounts at Clearstream via IBKR Prime, with oversight from regulated entities. Minting controls ensure transparency and regulatory alignment.
Can I use xStocks in DeFi?
Absolutely. Built on Solana as SPL tokens, xStocks can be used across DeFi platforms for lending, borrowing, staking, and yield farming — unlocking utility far beyond simple trading.
Who can trade xStocks?
Currently available to non-U.S. users through Kraken and globally via Bybit. U.S. residents may face restrictions due to securities regulations.
How are prices kept in sync with real markets?
Chainlink oracles deliver real-time stock prices from traditional exchanges to the Solana blockchain, ensuring accurate on-chain pricing even when global markets are closed.
Can I withdraw my tokenized stocks?
Yes. Users can withdraw xStocks to self-custodial wallets like Phantom or Backpack, giving full control over their assets without relying on centralized platforms.
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