Three major players in digital finance announced a partnership on Nov. 6 aimed at building infrastructure for tokenized securities. Tether asset tokenization division Hadron, investment firm KraneShares, and El Salvador-based Bitfinex Securities will collaborate on blockchain-based financial products. Market analysts project the tokenized securities sector will expand from roughly $30 billion in 2025 to approximately $10 trillion within five years, according to a company announcement. KraneShares, which ...

The global market is projected to surge from about $30 billion in 2025 to nearly $10 trillion by 2030. | Source: Pexels Key Takeaways Three leading firms have signed a strategic agreement to expand the tokenized securities market. The move comes as industry leaders predict massive acceleration in the market. However, some say clearer global rules are needed to unlock the full potential of tokenized financial products. Hadron by Tether, KraneShares and Bitfinex Securities have entered into a strate ...

Core Insights - Securitize, Inc. is set to become a publicly listed company through a business combination with Cantor Equity Partners II, Inc., targeting a $19 trillion total addressable market (TAM) for the tokenization of real-world assets [1][2] Company Overview - The transaction values Securitize at a $1.25 billion pre-money equity value, with existing equity holders like ARK Invest and BlackRock contributing 100% of their interests into the combined entity, which will be named Securitize Corp. and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker "SECZ" [2] - Founded in November 2017, Securitize has developed a regulated platform for the issuance, trading, and servicing of tokenized securities [4] Tokenization Capabilities - Securitize has tokenized over $4 billion in assets through partnerships with major asset managers such as Apollo and KKR, and is recognized as a vertically integrated tokenization provider with SEC-registered entities [5][7] - The firm has achieved significant milestones, including the tokenization of KKR's Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II in 2022 and BlackRock's BUIDL in 2024, marking these as notable firsts in the industry [6] Market Positioning - Securitize is positioned to capitalize on a $19 trillion opportunity in tokenization across various asset classes, including equities and fixed income [7] - The company supports fifteen major blockchains and integrates with leading DeFi protocols, enhancing secondary market liquidity for tokenized assets [7]

Australia’s securities regulator has declared stablecoins, wrapped tokens, tokenized securities, and digital asset wallets as financial products under existing law, requiring service providers to obtain licensing while granting the industry an eight-month transition period. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced updated guidance on Wednesday, alongside a sector-wide no-action position that runs until June 30, 2026. ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland said, “distributed ledger t ...

Core Insights - France has approved the Lightning Stock Exchange (Lise), marking a significant shift in public markets and IPOs towards a fully tokenized equity exchange [1] - Lise has obtained a DLT TSS license under the EU's DLT Pilot Regime, allowing blockchain-based financial infrastructures to operate within traditional legal frameworks [1][2] - The exchange aims to facilitate access to public markets for small and mid-cap firms, which have historically faced challenges in going public [4] Regulatory and Institutional Support - The approval of Lise was achieved in collaboration with key institutions including the Banque de France, ESMA, AMF, and the European Central Bank [2] - Lise is backed by major financial institutions such as BNP Paribas, Bpifrance, and CACEIS, positioning it as a significant player in the French fintech landscape [4] Technological Advancements - The integration of trading and post-trading operations on a single distributed ledger allows for instant transactions, reducing settlement delays and counterparty risk [3] - Lise's model could enable 24/7 trading, a first for European capital markets [3] Market Impact and Future Prospects - Analysts suggest that Lise's approval could position France as a leader in tokenized securities within Europe, paving the way for on-chain IPOs and equity trading [5] - The exchange plans to host its first IPOs in early 2026, introducing a new model of digital public offerings that combines traditional finance with blockchain efficiency [5] Broader Trends in Tokenization - The global trend of tokenization is gaining momentum, with real-world asset (RWA) tokenization surpassing $33.9 billion, reflecting a 10% increase in the past month [6] - Private credit leads the tokenization sector with $17.5 billion, followed by U.S. Treasury debt at $8.3 billion and commodities at $2.8 billion [6] - Ethereum dominates the RWA market with $12.1 billion in tokenized assets, accounting for approximately 57.5% of the market [6]

Group 1 - Kraken has acquired futures exchange Small Exchange from IG Group for $100 million, enabling the launch of a fully U.S.-based derivatives suite [1][2] - Small Exchange is a CFTC-licensed designated contract market, allowing Kraken to offer regulated futures and options to retail and institutional clients [2] - The acquisition reflects the maturation of the cryptocurrency sector as traditional financial firms increasingly engage with digital assets through regulated products [1][3] Group 2 - The derivatives market is attracting digital asset firms seeking liquidity and risk management, with analysts predicting accelerated adoption as more institutional players enter the space [3][4] - Kraken's acquisition is seen as a strategic move to establish institutional-grade markets as the crypto industry matures [4] - The regulatory environment in the U.S. is becoming more favorable for digital asset firms, encouraging expansion and clearer rules [5]

Core Insights - Ondo Finance has successfully completed the acquisition of Oasis Pro, enabling the development of tokenized securities markets in the U.S. [1] - The acquisition provides Ondo Finance with a comprehensive set of SEC registrations to offer virtual asset services, creating a regulated ecosystem for tokenized securities [2][4] Company Overview - Ondo Finance is focused on tokenization, which involves representing assets like stocks and funds as digital tokens, allowing fractional ownership for investors [1] - Oasis Pro, founded in 2019, offers compliant infrastructure for issuing and trading tokenized securities in the U.S. [4] Strategic Implications - The acquisition allows Ondo Finance to deliver a robust and compliant platform for tokenized securities, enhancing its commitment to a transparent financial system [3] - The combined capabilities include a digital assets broker-dealer registered with the SEC, an alternative trading system, and a transfer agent license [5] Functional Capabilities - Ondo Finance will be able to provide a multi-asset secondary trading system for both public and private tokenized securities, as well as a primary offering marketplace [6] - The strategic combination aims to build a leading regulatory-compliant platform in digital assets, leveraging the expertise and infrastructure of both companies [7]

Core Insights - Ondo Finance has acquired Oasis Pro, a U.S.-regulated digital asset trading firm, enhancing its regulatory capabilities and infrastructure for tokenized securities [1][5] - The acquisition positions Ondo to capitalize on the growing importance of regulatory compliance in the tokenization sector [2][7] Deal Details - The acquisition includes Oasis Pro's SEC-registered broker-dealer, Alternative Trading System (ATS), and Transfer Agent (TA), enabling a regulated on-chain capital market [3][5] - Ondo can now facilitate primary offerings and secondary trading of tokenized securities, strengthening its market position [3][4] Market Implications - Ondo currently manages over $1.76 billion in assets across tokenized products, and the acquisition provides a competitive edge in a rapidly growing market [4][5] - The tokenization of securities is projected to exceed $18 trillion by 2033, making the capture of U.S. investors critical for growth [4][5] Strategic Importance - Oasis Pro's regulatory pedigree offers Ondo a significant advantage in a tightly regulated financial environment, contrasting with competitors who may face uncertainty [7] - The deal is framed as a strategic combination of infrastructure and ambition, aiming to build a leading regulatory-compliant platform in digital assets [7]

Financial Sector Developments - Morgan Stanley's stress capital buffer requirement has been reduced by the Federal Reserve from 5.1% to 4.3%, effective October 1, 2025, allowing for greater capital allocation flexibility [2][8] - A consortium of nine major European banks is collaborating to develop a Euro-pegged stablecoin, aiming to connect traditional finance with decentralized finance [3] - Deutsche Börse Group is partnering with Circle Internet Group Inc. to integrate stablecoins into its financial infrastructure, promoting regulated adoption across European markets [3] Energy and Resources Sector - The U.S. government is acquiring a 5% equity stake in Lithium Americas and its Thacker Pass mine, supporting domestic production of critical materials like lithium [4][8] - Japanese trading giant Marubeni is expanding its presence in Japan's power market by establishing a new trading venture [5] Oil Market Insights - U.S. crude oil stock levels decreased by 3.674 million barrels, indicating a potential softening in demand compared to the previous week's drop of 3.821 million barrels [6][8] Corporate Performance Highlights - Nike reported a 1% increase in fiscal first-quarter revenue to $11.72 billion, exceeding Wall Street estimates, although gross margins decreased to 42.2% due to tariffs and discounting [9][8]

Core Insights - The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and Nasdaq are advancing in tokenization, creating pressure on other exchange operators to develop their own blockchain infrastructures [2][8]. Group 1: LSEG Developments - LSEG launched its Digital Markets Infrastructure (DMI) on September 15, which is a new tokenization platform for private funds, described as "blockchain-powered" [3]. - The DMI platform is less "on-chain" compared to existing solutions, as tokens do not represent legal assets but exist as digital records maintained by LSEG [4]. - LSEG's role extends beyond operating the London Stock Exchange, as it is a significant player in global financial markets through its subsidiaries like London Clearing House (LCH) and Refinitiv [4][5]. Group 2: Nasdaq Initiatives - Nasdaq filed a proposal on September 8 to allow the listing of tokenized securities on its exchange, aiming to integrate tokenized and traditional shares on the same order book [6]. - If approved, Nasdaq would become the first major global exchange to list security tokens, following the Luxembourg Stock Exchange [7]. - Nasdaq's initiative highlights the critical role of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the securities lifecycle, encompassing issuance, distribution, and post-trade settlement [7]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Other major exchange operators, particularly the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) owner Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), have been notably absent from recent blockchain innovations, risking falling behind in the tokenization race [9].