Telegram and Kraken Launch Tokenized Stocks to Expand Financial Access in Emerging Markets

Wallet in Telegram, a self-custodial crypto wallet integrated into the messaging platform, has announced a partnership with Kraken and xStocks operator Backed to launch tokenized U.S. equities and ETFs. The initiative, set to debut in October 2025, will initially offer 35 tokenized assets, including companies like Circle (CRCLX), Coinbase (COINX), Robinhood (HOODX), and TON Strategy (TONx), with plans to expand to over 60 tokenized stocks and ETFs by year-end. The offering will be fully collateralized 1:1 with the underlying assets and governed by compliant prospectusesTokenized Stocks And ETFs Arrive to Telegram Via Wallet^[1].

The rollout will prioritize emerging markets as a first step, with Wallet in Telegram emphasizing regulatory compliance and user experience testing during the initial phase. By Q4 2025, the service will extend to TON Wallet, the self-custodial solution on the Telegram Open Network (TON) blockchain. This expansion aligns with xStocks' broader strategy to tokenize real-world assets across multiple blockchains, including Solana, BNB Chain, and EthereumTelegram To Let Users Trade Tokenized US Stocks via …^[2]. Notably, Bitcoin ETFs will not be included in the tokenized offering, though Bitcoin remains accessible via the custodial crypto walletTokenized Stocks And ETFs Arrive to Telegram Via Wallet^[1].

Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi described the integration as a strategic move to "meet people where they already are," leveraging Telegram's 1 billion monthly active users to democratize access to traditional finance. The platform will enable users to trade tokenized versions of major equities and indices, such as Apple (AAPL), Tesla (TSLA), and the S&P 500 (SPY), directly within the app. Sethi highlighted the potential to reshape global markets by combining blockchain's transparency with the accessibility of mass-adopted platformsTelegram To Let Users Trade Tokenized US Stocks via …^[2].

The initiative reflects broader trends in tokenized asset adoption, with the market for tokenized equities and ETFs projected to grow significantly in 2025. Wallet in Telegram's chief operating officer, Halil Mirakhmed, emphasized that the service aims to bridge the gap between unbanked populations and long-term investment opportunities, offering financial tools traditionally reserved for institutional investorsTokenized Stocks And ETFs Arrive to Telegram Via Wallet^[1]. The platform's focus on compliance and emerging markets contrasts with earlier xStocks integrations, which restricted offerings to over 170 countries but excluded the U.S. and sanctioned jurisdictionsTokenized Stocks And ETFs Arrive to Telegram Via Wallet^[1].

Looking ahead, the integration positions Telegram at the forefront of a financial shift blending traditional markets with blockchain technology. The roadmap includes expanding beyond equities to ETFs, bonds, and real-world assets, potentially transforming how users interact with investments. With over $4.5 billion in combined volume across centralized and decentralized exchanges since its June 2025 launch, xStocks' tokenized assets are gaining traction as a transparent, open-access alternative to traditional tradingTrust Wallet joins xStocks Alliance, unlocking tokenized equities ...^[3]. As the project scales, it underscores the growing convergence of Web3 and traditional finance, driven by demand for borderless, interoperable financial infrastructureTelegram To Let Users Trade Tokenized US Stocks via …^[2].