Ethereum News Today: Blockchain Lets Global Investors Trade U.S. Stocks 24/7—Without the U.S.

Ondo Finance has launched Ondo Global Markets, a tokenized equity platform offering non-U.S. investors access to over 100 U.S. stocks and ETFs on the blockchain. The platform initially supports Ethereum and features tokenized versions of major equities such as Apple and Nvidia, alongside the QQQ ETF [1]. Investors from regions including Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, and Latin America can now mint and redeem shares at any time during trading days, leveraging the platform's 24/7 availability and direct access to underlying exchange liquidity [1]. Notably, U.S. users are excluded from the service due to regulatory constraints [1].

The launch of Ondo Global Markets is part of a broader trend in the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), where blockchain infrastructure is being used to enhance the accessibility and liquidity of traditional financial instruments. Ondo Finance aims to expand the asset selection to over 1,000 by the end of 2025 and has plans to extend its service to Solana and BNB Chain via LayerZero-powered interoperability [1]. The firm emphasizes the role of blockchain in democratizing access to global financial markets, likening its impact to the way stablecoins have facilitated the on-chain movement of the U.S. dollar [1].

Ondo Global Markets is backed by institutional-grade investor protections and designed to integrate seamlessly with DeFi protocols. Underlying assets are held by U.S.-registered broker-dealers, ensuring robust security and transparency [1]. Additionally, the tokens are freely transferable between wallets, exchanges, and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, supported by partnerships with infrastructure providers such as BitGo, Ledger, and Chainlink [1]. This flexibility enables investors to engage with DeFi applications using tokenized equities, potentially unlocking new financial engineering opportunities through integration into lending markets and liquidity pools [1].

Meanwhile, xStocks, a tokenized equity product from Backed Finance, has launched on Ethereum, offering access to 60 U.S. stocks including Tesla, Amazon, and Nvidia [2]. The platform, already active on Solana, BNB Chain, and Tron, has processed over $3.5 billion in trading volume since June 2025 [2]. Kraken has partnered with Backed Finance to facilitate the distribution of xStocks, allowing eligible clients to deposit and withdraw tokenized stocks directly on Ethereum [2]. These tokens are fully collateralized 1:1 against the underlying equities and are designed to be interoperable across multiple blockchain ecosystems [2].

Despite the growing momentum in the tokenized equities space, regulatory scrutiny remains a significant challenge. Regulators in the U.S. and globally have raised concerns about investor rights and the legal status of these tokenized instruments [2]. Critics argue that tokenized equities may lack the same protections as traditional shares, including voting rights and direct claims to company assets. However, proponents highlight the transparency and security benefits of blockchain-based collateralization, which can enhance investor confidence and reduce operational risks compared to traditional systems [2].

Both Ondo Finance and Backed Finance aim to expand their offerings beyond Ethereum, reflecting a multi-chain strategy to ensure broad accessibility. Ondo plans to extend its platform to Solana and BNB Chain, while xStocks has already integrated with multiple chains, including Solana and Tron [1][2]. This approach underscores the industry’s recognition of the importance of interoperability in fostering widespread adoption and liquidity across different blockchain ecosystems. As the tokenization of equities continues to evolve, stakeholders are closely monitoring regulatory developments, market dynamics, and technological advancements to navigate this emerging asset class effectively [1][2].

Source:

[1] Ondo Finance Rolls Out Tokenized U.S. Stocks, ETFs as ... (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/09/03/ondo-finance-rolls-out-tokenized-u-s-stocks-etfs-as-equity-tokenization-ramps-up)

[2] xStocks Launches 60 Tokenized Stocks on Ethereum ... (https://www.cryptoninjas.net/news/xstocks-launches-60-tokenized-stocks-on-ethereum-expanding-3-5b-trading-platform)