Tokenized equities advance as TradFi–DeFi links tighten

Nasdaq has partnered with Kraken’s parent, Payward, to advance security tokenization through an issuer-sponsored model. post/392818/nasdaq-partners-with-kraken-parent-payward-to-link-tokenized-equities-with-defi-networks/” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener”>as reported by The Block, the initiative connects regulated markets with on-chain financial networks while preserving issuer rights, regulatory compliance, and price integrity.

According to Cointelegraph, the effort builds on Nasdaq’s September 2025 filing with U.S. regulators to allow equity securities, including issuer-sponsored tokens, to trade under existing safeguards and settle through established infrastructure such as DTCC. The stated design focuses on legal equivalence with traditional shares rather than synthetic exposure.

Why it matters: preserved issuer rights, compliance, and access

The issuer-centric architecture is intended to maintain core shareholder rights, dividends, proxy voting, and corporate actions, while enabling programmable controls. In practice, transfer restrictions, identity checks, and cap-table synchronization would be used to keep on-chain movements aligned with securities law.

Framing the strategic goal, Tal Cohen, President at Nasdaq, said tokenization can “unlock the benefits of an always-on financial ecosystem , enhancing how investors access markets, how issuers engage with shareholders.” The emphasis is on extending market hours and shareholder connectivity without compromising governance.

On customer impact, Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO of Payward (Kraken), said tokenization “enabl[es] equities to exist as interoperable instruments across regulated financial systems and open blockchain networks while preserving issuer rights and price integrity.” The vision centers on legal parity with improved portability.

Interoperability is expected to prioritize compliance-first routing, where tokens map 1:1 to underlying equity and movements occur between whitelisted wallets. Trading and settlement processes would be synchronized with existing recordkeeping to avoid breaks between on-chain and off-chain ledgers.

Operationally, broker-dealers, transfer agents, and custodians would remain central to clearing and beneficial ownership tracking. Identity-driven controls and standardized messaging would help ensure that on-chain transfers reflect authorized holders and maintain corporate action eligibility.

Custody models are likely to blend qualified custodians with on-chain controls so that holder protections and entitlements remain intact. This approach aims to integrate digital asset rails without bypassing regulated intermediaries.

Benefits and risks for different user groups

International access; U.S. collateral and capital efficiency

For international users, a compliant token format could widen access to U.S. equities where distribution has been constrained. For U.S. participants, interoperable tokens could improve collateral mobility across trading, financing, and post-trade workflows.

Efficiencies may include faster settlement windows on certain movements and more granular collateral segmentation. Any such gains would depend on approved rule sets, operational alignment with transfer agents, and consistent corporate action processing.

Regulatory approvals, liquidity, and operational complexity

The scope and timing hinge on regulatory approvals and exchange rule changes, alongside clearing and custody arrangements. Liquidity could fragment across venues and token forms if market operators do not coordinate access and settlement.

Firms may face added complexity around KYC, wallet whitelisting, and reconciliations between on-chain and traditional ledgers. Governance, consent management, and issuer communications also need clear standards to avoid shareholder rights gaps.

FAQ about tokenized equities

How will issuer rights, dividends, and proxy voting be preserved on-chain?

Tokens are designed to mirror registered shares. Corporate actions run through existing issuer and agent workflows, with on-chain entitlements synchronized to approved, whitelisted holders.

What is the expected timeline and what SEC approvals are required for issuer-sponsored tokenization?

Timing depends on SEC approval of exchange rule changes and related clearing and custody permissions. No definitive launch date has been disclosed in the provided materials.