Ondo Bridges Wall Street and Blockchain with $18T Tokenized Market Push

Ondo Finance has finalized its acquisition of Oasis Pro, a U.S.-regulated digital asset trading firm, marking a significant expansion into the tokenized securities market. The deal grants Ondo access to a comprehensive suite of regulatory licenses, including an SEC-registered broker-dealer, an Alternative Trading System (ATS), and a Transfer Agent (TA). These credentials enable Ondo to facilitate the issuance, transfer, and secondary trading of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) within the United States, a critical step in bridging traditional capital markets with blockchain infrastructure.

The acquisition positions Ondo to offer compliant tokenized securities to U.S. investors, a market projected to exceed $18 trillion by 2033. Oasis Pro, founded in 2019, has operated as a FINRA-member broker-dealer and SEC-registered transfer agent, pioneering digital securities settlements in fiat and stablecoins such as USDC and DAI. Its infrastructure supports the tokenization of equities, corporate debt, and structured products, aligning with Ondo's goal to expand its $1.6 billion in tokenized assets under management into regulated U.S. markets.

The strategic move underscores the growing importance of regulatory compliance in the tokenization sector. Oasis Pro's expertise in digital asset markets, including its role in FINRA's Crypto Working Group, complements Ondo's institutional-grade blockchain technology. CEO Nathan Allman emphasized that the acquisition provides the "most comprehensive suite of licenses and infrastructure necessary to develop regulated tokenized securities markets in the U.S.". Oasis Pro's CEO, Pat LaVecchia, will join Ondo, bringing deep experience in building compliant platforms.

The tokenized securities market is gaining momentum as regulators and institutions seek to integrate blockchain into traditional finance. Ondo's move follows broader industry trends, including Kraken and Robinhood's tokenized stock offerings for non-U.S. investors. With the acquisition, Ondo aims to replicate this success domestically, leveraging Oasis Pro's infrastructure to streamline onboarding for accredited and institutional investors. The firm also plans to expand its Global Markets platform to include tokenized stocks for non-U.S. investors in the coming months.

Industry analysts highlight the strategic timing of the deal amid a potential crypto-friendly regulatory environment under a second-term U.S. administration. SEC Chair Paul Atkins has signaled openness to tokenization, framing it as an innovation requiring structured regulation. Ondo's expansion aligns with this shift, as tokenized RWAs-particularly private credit and U.S. Treasury debt-now represent nearly $25 billion in cumulative value.

The acquisition also reflects Ondo's broader strategy to lead the tokenization "arms race." By combining Oasis Pro's regulatory foundation with its own institutional-grade blockchain technology, Ondo aims to create a multi-asset trading platform for public and private tokenized securities. This move follows the launch of the Ondo Catalyst fund, a $250 million joint venture with Pantera Capital to invest in RWA projects.