Nasdaq and Payward Forge Blockchain Bridge for Tokenized Markets
Nasdaq accelerates its push into asset tokenization through a partnership with Payward, parent company of crypto exchange Kraken. The collaboration aims to build infrastructure connecting traditional stock markets with blockchain networks, leveraging Payward's xStocks framework.
The initiative targets liquidity challenges by creating interoperable systems for tokenized assets. xStocks has already processed $25 billion in volume, with $4 billion settled on-chain, demonstrating early traction. Over 85,000 unique holders participate in the ecosystem, signaling institutional interest in blockchain-based finance.
This marks a strategic move by legacy institutions to capture value in tokenization, which promises to unlock trillions in illiquid assets. The Nasdaq-Payward architecture will focus on regulatory compliance while enabling seamless asset transfers between authorized markets and decentralized networks.
