Blockchain Bridges Global Markets as U.S. Stocks Get Tokenized for International Investors

Ondo Finance and Bitget have expanded access to tokenized equities, enabling non-U.S. investors to trade over 100 U.S. stocks and ETFs via blockchain. Ondo Finance launched its Ondo Global Markets platform, which is now live on Ethereum and supports tokenized assets such as Apple (AAPL), Nvidia (NVDA), and the QQQ ETF. The tokens are backed by real securities held at U.S.-registered broker-dealers and are accessible to investors in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, and Latin America. U.S. users remain excluded from the offering due to regulatory constraints [1].

The platform’s tokens are designed to function seamlessly within wallets, exchanges, and DeFi protocols. Ondo Finance has partnered with infrastructure providers such as BitGo, Ledger, and Chainlink to facilitate the rollout. The firm aims to expand its offering to over 1,000 assets by the end of 2025 and to introduce the tokens on Solana and BNB Chain, leveraging LayerZero for cross-chain interoperability. Nathan Allman, CEO of Ondo Finance, emphasized that the initiative mirrors the role stablecoins have played in digitizing the U.S. dollar, now bringing U.S. securities onto the blockchain [1].

Bitget and Bitget Wallet, in collaboration with Ondo Finance, have also launched live trading of tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs. This marks one of the first integrations allowing direct on-chain access to equities outside the U.S. The tokens, which represent total-return exposure to underlying securities, reflect price movements and reinvested dividends. All tokens are backed by real-world assets (RWA) held with regulated custodians and can be traded 24/7 with a minimum investment of $1. Bitget CEO Gracet Chen highlighted the initiative as a bridge between traditional finance and decentralized finance, offering users a smoother and more accessible investment experience [3].

The integration of tokenized equities on blockchain platforms is part of a broader trend toward tokenizing real-world assets. Robinhood, Gemini, Kraken, and other platforms have also introduced tokenized stock offerings in recent months. However, some of these efforts have faced criticism over limited shareholder rights and regulatory fragmentation. Jamie Elkaleh, CMO of Bitget, noted that Ondo’s offering stands out for its extensive asset range and regulated backing, addressing key barriers to tokenized securities adoption [2].

Regulatory developments are playing a crucial role in shaping the future of tokenized equities. Paradigm recently submitted a comment letter to the SEC outlining principles for modernizing securities regulations to accommodate tokenization. The proposal includes allowing on-chain IPOs and updating transfer agent rules to reflect blockchain capabilities. SEC Chair Gary Gensler has also emphasized the importance of adapting U.S. financial markets to blockchain technology through initiatives like Project Crypto [5].

Ondo Finance’s and Bitget’s initiatives reflect a growing industry consensus that tokenization can enhance liquidity, transparency, and accessibility in global markets. While challenges such as regulatory clarity and investor protection remain, the momentum behind tokenized equities continues to gain traction, with major players across the crypto and traditional finance sectors exploring integration opportunities.

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[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] DeFi Protocol Ondo Finance Puts 100 Tokenized Stocks on ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/defi-protocol-ondo-finance-puts-191807701.html)

[3] Bitget and Bitget Wallet launch tokenised US stocks and ... (https://www.assetservicingtimes.com/assetservicesnews/industryarticle.php?article_id=17110)

[4] Bitget and Bitget Wallet launch over 100 US stock tokens ... (https://www.bitget.com/news/detail/12560604949530)

[5] Public Stocks on Public Blockchains: How Do We Get There? (https://www.paradigm.xyz/2025/09/public-stocks-on-public-blockchains)