Payward partners with Nasdaq to develop xStocks-powered gateway connecting permissioned and permissionless tokenized equities markets
TL;DR
Payward has partnered with Nasdaq to build an equities transformation gateway that connects tokenized equity capital markets with decentralized blockchain networks, combining Nasdaq’s regulated market infrastructure with Kraken’s xStocks framework to enable tokenized equities to move fluidly between permissioned institutional markets and permissionless DeFi ecosystems.
xStocks, Kraken’s tokenized equity product, has surpassed $25 billion in total transaction volume since launching less than a year ago (including more than $4 billion settled on-chain) with over 85,000 unique holders across supported networks, establishing it as a leading infrastructure layer for tokenized equities on blockchain.
Nasdaq’s equity token design, expected to become operational in H1 2027, is a new framework for tokenizing equities that preserves issuer control, existing regulatory frameworks, and the underlying rights of company shares; Kraken/Payward will serve as the primary settlement layer for these transactions in eligible jurisdictions, with Payward Services providing KYC and AML onboarding compliance.
The next chapter for tokenized equities
We’re excited to announce a partnership with Nasdaq to develop next-generation infrastructure connecting tokenized equity capital markets with decentralized blockchain networks.
