Nasdaq and Kraken Partner to Bring 24/7 Tokenized Stock Trading to Global Investors
Nasdaq and Kraken are collaborating to revolutionize stock trading with the introduction of 24/7 tokenized stock trading, aiming to broaden access for global investors. The partnership, announced on March 9, 2026, leverages Kraken’s xStocks framework to connect traditional capital markets with blockchain technology.
Bridging Traditional Finance and Blockchain
The initiative centers around creating an “equities transformation gateway” that will link regulated financial markets with permissionless blockchain networks. This collaboration seeks to enable continuous trading beyond traditional market hours, potentially launching in the first half of 2027, pending regulatory approvals .
How it Works: Tokenization and xStocks
Kraken, through its parent company Payward, will serve as the distribution partner for tokenized shares to customers outside of the United States, with a primary focus on Europe. The platform will utilize Kraken’s xStocks framework, which has already processed over $25 billion in transaction volume and has more than 85,000 unique holders . Tokenized shares will represent one-to-one ownership of public company stocks, granting investors the same governance rights as traditional shareholders, including voting and dividend payments .
Nasdaq’s Vision and SEC Proposal
This partnership builds upon Nasdaq’s proposal to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in September 2025, seeking approval to allow tokenized versions of listed stocks and ETFs to trade alongside traditional shares. The proposal aims to have both versions settle through the Depository Trust, ensuring interchangeability . Nasdaq is also working with Boerse Stuttgart Group’s Seturion platform to connect its European trading venues to tokenized securities infrastructure.
Efficiency and Automation
Nasdaq intends to leverage blockchain technology to automate corporate actions, such as dividend payments and proxy voting, making these processes more efficient . This move aligns with a broader industry trend toward integrating blockchain infrastructure into traditional financial markets.
Industry Momentum
The Nasdaq-Kraken deal is part of a wave of activity in the tokenized equities space. Other exchanges, including ICE and Coinbase, have also announced similar partnerships in the same week , signaling growing interest in the potential of blockchain to transform stock trading.