Nasdaq Invests $100M in Payward for Tokenized Stock Platform
Nasdaq Ventures is putting $100 million into Payward to develop a system for direct ownership of tokenized stocks.
Key points
- Nasdaq Ventures is investing $100 million in Payward, the parent company of the Kraken exchange.
- The partnership aims to build a platform for tokenized stocks that grants holders direct ownership and voting rights.
- The companies are targeting a second-quarter 2027 launch for the new Nasdaq Equity Token framework.
Nasdaq announced a $100 million investment in Payward, the parent company of Kraken. The move supports the development of a new tokenized stock trading platform.
The deal was reported by fool.com. It marks a new stage in Nasdaq's effort to enable rapid, continuous stock settlement.
Nasdaq funds Payward for equity tokens
Nasdaq Ventures is providing the capital for this project. The two firms are already working on the Nasdaq Equity Token framework.
They aim to build infrastructure for high-trust tokenized trading. This system seeks to combine blockchain speed with traditional exchange reliability.
Tokenized stocks grant direct ownership rights
Current tokenized stocks often only provide a contractual claim. Buyers do not hold direct ownership of the underlying asset.
Nasdaq wants to change this structure. The new platform aims to grant holders voting rights and direct ownership.
This approach preserves the transparency and integrity of capital formation. It addresses a key limitation in existing crypto-based stock systems.
Target launch date set for 2027
Nasdaq and Payward are targeting a second-quarter 2027 launch. This timeline allows for the development of a pilot version.
Tokenized stock volumes remain low compared to traditional exchanges. The companies hope to capture market share with this trusted platform.
