VALR Launches xStocks for U.S. Equities Exposure in Africa

VALR, Africa’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trade volume, has introduced xStocks—a new product that allows users to gain exposure to U.S. equities through tokenisation [1]. This offering is the first of its kind on the continent and includes tokenised representations of major U.S.-listed companies such as Tesla, NVIDIA, Robinhood, Circle, and Coinbase [1]. xStocks, launched in May 2025 by asset tokenisation platform Backed, are 1:1-backed digital tokens that reflect the price movement of real-world equities but do not confer ownership or voting rights to token holders [1].

Users can trade xStocks on VALR’s Spot market using TetherUSD (USDT), Bitcoin, Ethereum, or the South African rand via the Simple Buy/Sell feature. Additionally, the tokens can be transferred on the Solana network, enabling fast and efficient cross-border transactions [1]. This development aligns with a growing global trend of tokenising traditional assets, which aims to bridge the gap between crypto and conventional finance [1].

The xStocks launch follows VALR’s introduction of the Garrington Capital USD Private Credit Token (USDPC), a yield-bearing crypto asset, as part of the company’s VALR Invest initiative [1]. This series of product launches underscores VALR’s strategy to offer innovative and accessible financial tools to its expanding user base.

“xStocks represent a pivotal moment for financial inclusion in South Africa and across Africa,” said Farzam Ehsani, VALR’s Co-Founder and CEO [1]. He added that the platform plans to expand the product’s availability beyond the continent in the near future.

David Henderson, Head of Growth at Backed, the issuer of xStocks, expressed optimism about the product’s potential in Africa. “We have seen incredible adoption for these assets, and now users from Africa will be able to access them on VALR, participating in tokenised capital markets,” he said [1].

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Johannesburg, VALR serves over 1.5 million users globally and more than 1,400 corporate and institutional clients [1]. The platform offers a range of crypto services, including Spot Trading, Futures, Staking, Lending, API services, and OTC Trading, among others. It is licensed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa and operates in parts of the European Union. VALR has raised $55 million in equity funding from investors such as Pantera Capital, Coinbase Ventures, and Fidelity Investments’ F-Prime [1].

Backed Finance, the issuer of xStocks, offers tokenised equities and ETFs across multiple blockchain ecosystems and exchanges [1].

Source: [1] VALR pioneers xStocks in South Africa (31 Jul) (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688b6b1ef68f6d08ebbf8af1/)