Tokenized Stocks and the Rise of Universal Exchanges: A New Era of 24/7 Global Trading

The financial landscape is undergoing a seismic shift as tokenized equities and universal exchanges redefine market access, liquidity, and efficiency. At the forefront of this transformation is Bitget's Universal Exchange (UEX) model, which is bridging the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) by offering a unified platform for trading cryptocurrencies, tokenized stocks, ETFs, and real-world assets (RWAs). This convergence is not merely speculative-it is being driven by tangible user adoption, institutional participation, and structural innovations that are reshaping global markets.

The UEX Model: A Convergence of Crypto and TradFi

Bitget's UEX model represents a paradigm shift in how investors interact with financial assets. By integrating tokenized equities-such as those from Ondo Finance and xStocks-into a single interface, the platform enables 24/7 trading of assets like Tesla (TSLA) and Nvidia (NVDA), with settlement times significantly faster than traditional markets. This model eliminates the need for fragmented platforms, allowing users to manage diversified portfolios of crypto, tokenized stocks, and on-chain assets through one wallet.

The UEX's structural advantages are evident in its ability to align tokenized equities with their off-chain counterparts during regular market hours. For instance, tokenized S&P 500 ETFs on Bitget track their underlying indices in real time, while the platform's 24/7 availability ensures continuous liquidity even when traditional markets are closed according to Bitget's official blog. However, this also introduces volatility during off-hours, as deviations from off-chain prices can occur when underlying markets are inactive as reported in Bitget's analysis. Such dynamics highlight the unique interplay between on-chain and off-chain ecosystems, a hallmark of the UEX's design.

Mass Adoption and Liquidity: A Data-Driven Perspective

Bitget's UEX has attracted a rapidly growing user base, with 19.89 million new users added in Q1 2025 alone, bringing the total to over 120 million. This surge in adoption is mirrored by a 159% quarter-on-quarter increase in spot trading volume, which reached $387 billion in the same period. Institutional participation has also surged, with spot market activity dominated by institutional investors-rising from 39.4% in January to 72.6% by July 2025. These figures underscore the platform's appeal to both retail and institutional actors, who are increasingly viewing tokenized equities as a legitimate asset class.

Liquidity improvements are further bolstered by Bitget's multi-chain infrastructure and partnerships with tokenized stock providers. According to Bitget's November 2025 report, the platform's integration of Morph Chain, a blockchain focused on scalability and interoperability, has enhanced transaction efficiency and reduced costs for on-chain applications. Additionally, Bitget's Bitcoin reserves-now exceeding 34,000 BTC-signal sustained capital confidence, as reported in Bitget's transparency report, even as broader industry reserves decline. This liquidity resilience is critical for maintaining trust in tokenized markets, where settlement speed and asset-backed guarantees are paramount.

Structural Advantages and Market Efficiency

The UEX model's structural advantages extend beyond liquidity. By unifying centralized, decentralized, and traditional finance, Bitget is addressing key inefficiencies in global markets. For example, the platform's AI-powered tool, GetAgent, optimizes trading strategies and enhances user experience, reducing barriers to entry for novice investors. Meanwhile, the ability to trade tokenized equities directly with digital assets-rather than fiat-streamlines cross-border transactions and minimizes currency conversion risks.

Institutional adoption is another critical driver. Bitget's October 2025 report revealed $23.1 billion in institutional inflows, reflecting growing confidence in tokenized assets as a hedge against macroeconomic volatility. This trend is further supported by the platform's 6.16% share of global derivatives trading volume, placing it among the top four exchanges worldwide. Such metrics highlight the UEX's role in normalizing tokenized equities as a mainstream investment vehicle.

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

While the UEX model has demonstrated remarkable growth, challenges remain. Regulatory scrutiny of tokenized assets and cross-border compliance issues could slow adoption in certain markets. Additionally, the structural differences between on-chain and off-chain markets-such as price deviations during off-hours-require robust risk management frameworks. However, Bitget's focus on regulated custody structures and its partnerships with traditional asset providers suggest a commitment to addressing these concerns as detailed in Blockscholes research.

The broader implications of the UEX model are profound. By democratizing access to 24/7 global trading and fostering liquidity in tokenized equities, Bitget is accelerating the convergence of crypto and TradFi. As institutional and retail demand continues to rise, the UEX's role in shaping the future of finance will likely expand, redefining how markets operate in an increasingly interconnected world.