Blockchain Bridges Wall Street and Web3 with Real-Time, Regulated Data Flow

21X, the first blockchain-based exchange licensed under the EU’s DLT Regime, has adopted Chainlink data oracles to provide real-time, verifiable market data for its tokenized securities, according to multiple reports. This integration, powered by the Chainlink Runtime Environment (CRE), enables the exchange to publish market data—including best bid and ask prices with corresponding quantities, as well as last traded prices—on the public Polygon blockchain. The initiative marks a foundational step in bridging traditional capital markets with the blockchain economy, as noted by Max Heinzle, CEO of 21X. He emphasized that the integration delivers the transparency, auditability, and collateral utility required for institutional adoption of on-chain trading.

The integration, now live on Polygon, leverages Chainlink’s infrastructure, which has facilitated over $25 trillion in transaction value and secures nearly $100 billion across DeFi protocols. This infrastructure allows 21X to automatically retrieve, aggregate, and publish market data in a standardized, machine-readable format, making it accessible to market participants, custody providers, and DeFi protocols. By integrating Chainlink, 21X enhances the usability of EU-regulated tokenized securities within the on-chain economy. As Fernando Vazquez, President of Banking & Capital Markets at Chainlink Labs, noted, the collaboration "opens the floodgates of institutional capital to flow on-chain," potentially transforming how DeFi protocols interact with regulated financial instruments.

21X, headquartered in Frankfurt, launched its regulated trading venue last week and has already begun listing tokenized equities, debt securities, and funds. The platform aims to expand the Chainlink integration to include pre-trade data, deeper analytics, and additional asset classes, further strengthening the infrastructure for institutional participants. The move aligns with the broader trend of regulated financial institutions adopting blockchain technology to improve transparency and reduce settlement times.

The integration also underscores the growing synergy between regulated finance and decentralized infrastructure. Tokenized securities on 21X can now be used as collateral in DeFi loan protocols and integrated into automated portfolio management strategies, thanks to the availability of verifiable data. This development reflects a broader shift in the financial industry, where blockchain-based platforms are increasingly being recognized for their ability to deliver secure, auditable, and real-time market data.

Looking ahead, 21X and Chainlink plan to further expand the capabilities of the CRE, enhancing its ability to support cross-chain interoperability and facilitate deeper integration with traditional financial systems. The partnership signals a pivotal moment in the evolution of on-chain finance, as it demonstrates the potential for blockchain to serve as a reliable and secure infrastructure for institutional-grade assets. As the regulatory landscape for digital assets continues to evolve, the collaboration between 21X and Chainlink provides a blueprint for how regulated exchanges can leverage decentralized infrastructure to meet the demands of institutional investors.