Ethereum News Today: Blockchain Bridges Traditional Gap as Ondo Tokenizes U.S. Stocks for Global Investors

Ondo Finance has officially launched its tokenized equity platform, Ondo Global Markets, offering non-U.S. investors access to over 100 U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Ethereum blockchain, with plans to expand across other chains. This initiative marks a significant step in the growing trend of tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs) within the cryptocurrency space, aiming to enhance accessibility and liquidity for global investors. The firm aims to scale its offerings to over 1,000 assets by the end of 2025, with a planned expansion to Solana and BNB Chain, leveraging interoperability protocols like LayerZero.

The tokenized assets are fully backed by U.S. securities held at registered broker-dealers, ensuring transparency and security for users. These include prominent equities such as Apple (AAPL) and Nvidia (NVDA), as well as popular ETFs. Investors from the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America can mint and redeem shares 24/7 during trading days, with access to underlying exchange liquidity. Unlike stablecoins, which primarily facilitate value transfer, Ondo’s tokens offer economic exposure to the performance of the underlying securities, including dividends (less applicable tax withholdings).

Ondo Global Markets differentiates itself through its seamless integration with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, allowing for peer-to-peer trading and utilization within DeFi applications. This is supported by partnerships with key infrastructure providers such as Chainlink, BitGo, Ledger, and Trust Wallet. The platform is designed to mirror the functionality of stablecoins, enabling tokenized assets to be traded outside traditional market hours, further broadening participation in U.S. equity markets for international users.

The initiative has sparked interest among investors and industry observers, particularly as it addresses long-standing barriers to accessing U.S. markets, such as high fees, limited access, and geographic exclusions. Ondo CEO Nathan Allman highlighted the significance of this launch, stating that Ondo Global Markets is bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralized infrastructure, similar to how stablecoins have redefined the role of the U.S. dollar on-chain.

Ondo’s approach aligns with a broader industry trend of tokenizing financial assets, with companies such as Robinhood, Coinbase, and eToro also exploring similar initiatives. Despite the momentum, regulatory challenges remain a key concern. Ondo’s tokens are currently available only to qualified non-U.S. investors, and the firm has emphasized that no regulatory approval has been sought in the United States or other jurisdictions. This reflects the fragmented nature of global financial regulations and the cautious approach taken by firms entering the tokenized securities space.

The Ondo token (ONDO) has experienced a 4% increase following the announcement, reflecting optimism within the community about the platform’s potential to redefine access to traditional markets through blockchain technology. The company’s long-term vision includes the continuous expansion of its asset offerings and further integration with DeFi platforms, reinforcing its position as a key player in the evolving landscape of tokenized financial assets.

Source:

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

[2] Ondo Launches Global Markets: 100+ Tokenized U.S. Stocks on Ethereum (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ondo-launches-global-markets-100-183506974.html)

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

[4] Ondo Brings Over 100 Tokenized U.S. Stocks and ETFs Onchain, Starting on Ethereum (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ondo-brings-over-100-tokenized-us-stocks-and-etfs-onchain-starting-on-ethereum-302545276.html)