Gemini Adds Nike, McDonald’s, Starbucks to EU Tokenized Stocks

Gemini, a leading crypto exchange, has expanded its tokenized stock offerings for European Union investors, adding a new batch of tokenized U.S. stocks. The additions include prominent brands such as Nike, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, and Yum! Brands. These tokenized equities are powered by the Arbitrum blockchain and issued in partnership with Dinari, a FINRA-registered broker. This move builds on Gemini’s existing list of major stocks, including Apple, Tesla, Microsoft, Coinbase, and Marathon Digital, further enhancing its offerings.

Gemini’s initiative aims to merge traditional finance with the efficiency of blockchain technology. The new offering allows EU investors to trade U.S. stocks without the need for a traditional U.S. broker. Each tokenized asset is backed 1:1 with real shares held by Dinari, ensuring investors retain exposure to dividends, stock movements, and corporate actions, while bypassing the complexities of traditional trading.

Arbitrum, an Ethereum Layer-2 network, facilitates these transactions with low fees, faster trades, and 24/7 access, features that traditional equity markets cannot match. Gemini’s choice of Arbitrum highlights its commitment to scalability and decentralization, providing a seamless and efficient trading experience for its users.

The newly listed companies span several consumer-facing sectors, including Nike, a leader in global athletic wear; McDonald’s and Starbucks, defining fast food and coffee culture; Coca-Cola, dominating the beverage industry; and Yum! Brands, owning restaurant chains like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. These are not volatile tech stocks but blue-chip companies with steady cash flows and global recognition. For EU investors, they offer stability, brand familiarity, and long-term value, now accessible through a crypto-native format.

One of the major advantages of tokenized stocks is fractional ownership. With Gemini’s platform, investors do not need a significant amount of capital to buy a full share of a company. They can start with just a few euros, making it accessible for retail investors looking to diversify their portfolios. Additionally, because trading is blockchain-based, it is available 24/7, providing instant execution and transparent records. However, Gemini warns that tokenized assets carry similar volatility to traditional equities, and prices may swing due to sentiment, earnings, or global news. A 1.49% trading fee also applies.

Gemini holds a MiFID II license via the Malta Financial Services Authority, ensuring compliance with EU financial laws and emerging MiCA rules for tokenized securities. The partnership with Dinari ensures legal custody and structure for these digital assets. With tokenization gaining traction globally, Gemini is moving swiftly to capitalize on this trend. Real-world asset markets could hit significant growth by 2030, according to some projections. Competitors like Coinbase and Robinhood are also circling, but Gemini’s early mover advantage and traditional finance partnerships give it a strong edge.

By bridging U.S. equities and decentralized finance (DeFi) rails, Gemini offers a new playbook where anyone, anywhere, can access Wall Street from a blockchain wallet. This move not only democratizes access to global markets but also aligns with the growing trend of integrating traditional finance with blockchain technology. The expansion of tokenized stock offerings by Gemini is a testament to the platform's commitment to innovation and its efforts to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital asset ecosystem. By providing EU investors with access to a broader range of U.S. equities, Gemini is positioning itself as a leader in the tokenized asset space, offering a unique and valuable service to its users. This move is likely to attract more investors to the platform, further solidifying Gemini's presence in the digital asset market.