Securitize Launches Tokenized U.S. Stocks, Shares Jump 12%
Securitize introduced onchain tokens representing 12 major U.S. stocks, including Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft, and its shares climbed 12%. Each token is backed by an actual share and carries dividend and some voting rights, though holders are not registered shareholders until conversion. The launch follows an SEC innovation exemption for fully backed stock tokens, while planned NYSE and OKXICE trading venues have not yet started.
Its stock gained 12% Thursday afternoon. Securitize's new product covers twelve large U.S. equities, among them Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft. The tokens run through its registered broker-dealer on Solana, settle in USDC, begin in extended hours, and are intended to move toward round-the-clock trading. Two additional venues—an NYSE digital market and the OKXICE joint venture—are planned but not yet live.
The structure uses a one-to-one share backing and Article 8 security-entitlement treatment, so dividends and certain voting rights pass through, and underlying shares are not lent. Conversion to registered shareholder status depends on issuer-sponsored tokenization. The SEC's five-year innovation exemption covers fully backed stock tokens, not synthetic ones. Analysts' revenue projections predate this launch.
Tokenized stock access may broaden how retail and crypto-native investors reach U.S. equities, potentially extending trading hours and lowering some operational barriers. It could also complicate familiar investor protections, since token holders may lack registered-shareholder status until conversion. Brokers, market infrastructure providers, and regulators may need to adapt. If adoption grows, ownership records and corporate governance could become more complex, affecting issuers and shareholders.