Kraken’s xStocks Lets You Trade Big Tech—Even When Wall Street Sleeps

Solana-powered synthetic assets break the 9-to-5 market stranglehold.

Forget waiting for the NYSE bell—Kraken’s new xStocks platform turns Tesla, Apple, and Nvidia into 24/7 crypto trades. Because nothing says ‘financial innovation’ like replicating traditional assets with extra steps.

The hook? Zero downtime. While suits in Manhattan sip martinis, degens can chase NVIDIA’s next earnings pump at 3AM. All wrapped in Solana’s speed—and the cold comfort that your synthetic AAPL won’t actually get you shareholder voting rights.

Wall Street’s closed sign just got a ‘kick me’ note. Again.

TLDR

• Kraken launches tokenized U.S. stocks on Solana.
• Trade Apple and Tesla 24/7, outside the U.S.
• xStocks backed by real shares via Backed Finance.
• Low fees and fast trades powered by Solana.
• Stocks meet DeFi—hold, trade, or use as collateral.

Kraken will launch tokenized U.S. stocks, enabling non-U.S. users to trade Apple, Tesla, and Nvidia 24/7 on Solana. The new product, xStocks, will allow users to invest in over 50 tokenized equities and ETFs. The service will be available in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia but excluded from the U.S. market.

Kraken Launches xStocks for Global Stock Tokenization

Kraken has introduced xStocks to tokenize top U.S. equities on the solana blockchain. The move will provide 24/7 trading access to non-U.S. users. It marks a significant step toward borderless exposure to American financial markets.

JUST IN: Kraken to offer over 50 tokenized stocks and ETFs, including shares of Apple, Tesla and NVIDIA. pic.twitter.com/jOp4rM3Nby

— Whale Insider (@WhaleInsider) May 22, 2025

Each xStock token will be backed by real shares, with assets held by Backed Finance. These shares are redeemable for cash, maintaining parity with their market value. Investors will benefit from instant settlement and lower transaction costs.

The rollout includes major stocks and ETFs such as SPY and SPDR Gold Shares. The tokens will initially be available through Kraken’s web and mobile platforms. Kraken plans to expand access to additional exchanges and blockchains over time.

Solana Chosen for Its Speed and Scalability

Kraken selected Solana to host xStocks due to its low fees, high throughput, and reliable infrastructure. Solana’s blockchain enables smooth, fast, and secure transactions across global markets. It allows tokens to operate efficiently under high volumes.

The use of Solana ensures that xStocks can function at internet scale. This helps bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized systems. Kraken views Solana’s ecosystem as critical to delivering seamless user experiences.

Users can hold xStocks in digital wallets or use them as collateral for crypto trades. This opens new opportunities in DeFi trading and liquidity strategies. Kraken is also exploring multichain integration to grow its reach.

Backed Finance Powers xStocks’ Real-World Value

Kraken’s partner, Backed Finance, will acquire and manage the underlying securities. This ensures xStocks are backed by actual shares of U.S. companies. As a result, token prices should closely follow real market prices.

Token holders may redeem their assets for the value of the underlying stocks or ETFs. This mechanism supports transparency and investor trust in tokenized equities. Backed Finance will handle custody and compliance for token issuance.

The collaboration aims to offer legal and regulated access to tokenized stocks worldwide. Kraken is currently engaging with international regulators to ensure compliance. It seeks to expand availability while meeting local financial rules.

Kraken Plans Further Expansion in Equity Access

Kraken aims to grow its equity-related products beyond xStocks. In April, it introduced trading for over 11,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs to U.S. clients. The firm plans to bring similar offerings to more regions soon.

Future phases may introduce xStocks to other blockchains beyond Solana. Kraken is committed to expanding access to global capital markets using blockchain tools. The company views tokenization as key to the future of investing.

The xStocks project signals a larger trend toward decentralized access to traditional assets. By combining regulated equity exposure with crypto flexibility, Kraken positions itself at the forefront of financial innovation.