Key Highlights
- Trade major US companies 24/7 through Kraken’s tokenized shares.
- Fractional ownership and self-custody give investors full control.
- EU users gain access to over 60 tokenized stocks like Apple and Meta.
Kraken Expands Tokenized US Shares to Europe
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has expanded access to tokenized shares of major U.S. companies for users in the European Union. European clients can now trade over 60 tokenized securities representing companies such as Apple, Meta Platforms, and GameStop.
The service is powered by xStocks from Backed Finance and was first introduced on global markets in May 2025. Kraken later announced the launch of xStocks on the Solana blockchain, aiming to make the U.S. stock market more accessible to international investors.
Benefits of Tokenized Shares
Unlike traditional shares, tokenized certificates can:
- Be traded 24/7, outside standard market hours.
- Serve as collateral on decentralized platforms.
- Support fractional ownership, allowing smaller investments.
- Provide investors with self-custody, enhancing security and control.
Although the tokenized shares market is still relatively small, with a market cap exceeding $461 million at the time of writing (according to rwa.xyz), demand is growing rapidly.
In July, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev confirmed plans to scale tokenized shares despite criticism, particularly from OpenAI, which stated it had not authorized derivatives on its shares.
Global Expansion and Future Outlook
Kraken’s move to extend tokenized shares to the EU represents a broader trend of internationalization in crypto and stock markets. By combining blockchain technology, fractional ownership, and self-custody, exchanges like Kraken are offering greater flexibility, accessibility, and transparency for global investors.
