Wall Street's Blockchain Bet: Securitize Nears $1B+ SPAC-Driven Listing

Securitize, a blockchain-based tokenization platform, is in advanced discussions to merge with Cantor Equity Partners II Inc., a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) sponsored by Cantor Fitzgerald, in a deal potentially valuing the firm at over $1 billion Cointelegraph^[1]. The proposed transaction, if finalized, would mark one of the first major public listings for a tokenization company and underscore Wall Street's growing interest in on-chain finance Phemex News^[3]. Cantor Fitzgerald, a prominent Wall Street firm, has not yet commented on the matter Bloomberg Law^[2].

The SPAC route has become a preferred pathway for crypto and fintech firms seeking public market access, bypassing traditional IPO processes. Notable precedents include Bakkt's 2020 merger with VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings and Core Scientific's 2021 deal with Power & Digital Infrastructure Acquisition Corp. Cointelegraph^[1]. Securitize's potential listing aligns with a broader resurgence in crypto-related public offerings, with companies like Circle, Figure Technology, Gemini, and Bullish going public in 2025 Cointelegraph^[1].

Securitize has demonstrated strong institutional support, having raised $47 million in a 2024 funding round led by BlackRock, with additional participation from Paxos, Aptos Labs, and Circle Cointelegraph^[1]. The firm's platform underpins several major tokenized investment products, including BlackRock's BUIDL fund, which tokenizes U.S. Treasury bills and has surpassed $2.8 billion in assets under management .

The SPAC discussions reflect accelerating momentum in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, a sector that has grown 112% year-to-date, with total tokenized assets exceeding $33 billion . Private credit and U.S. Treasuries are leading adoption, while financial institutions like BNY Mellon and Goldman Sachs are expanding into tokenized deposits and money market funds Cointelegraph^[1]. S&P Global's recent launch of the Digital Markets 50 Index, which includes 15 cryptocurrencies and 35 blockchain-linked equities, further signals institutional validation Cointelegraph^[1].

Securitize's potential public listing highlights the strategic importance of tokenization in modernizing capital markets. The firm's DS Protocol, a smart contract infrastructure for compliant tokenized securities, is already managing $4.6 billion in tokenized assets . The company's recent acquisition of MG Stover's fund administration business positions it as a dominant player in the digital asset fund sector .

Analysts note that tokenization's benefits-fractional ownership, 24/7 trading, and programmable compliance-are driving institutional adoption. McKinsey projects tokenized market capitalization could reach $2 trillion by 2030, with BlackRock's CEO Larry Fink emphasizing tokenization as the next frontier in financial assets DeFi Planet^[5].