The London Stock Exchange has partnered with Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, to launch tokenized stock trading. According to Payward's chief commercial officer Mark Greenberg, tokenized stocks tracking leading UK equity products will begin trading in 2027 on the LSE's new night-time venue, LSE 24.
LSE 24 will operate 24/5 trading from Mondays to Fridays, offering round-the-clock access to tokenized equity products with fractional ownership capabilities. The initiative positions the London bourse among major traditional finance institutions exploring blockchain-based stock offerings.
Traditional exchanges accelerate tokenization efforts
Other major financial institutions are similarly advancing tokenized equity products. In March, Nasdaq partnered with Payward and its Backed subsidiary to develop an equities transformation gateway, building on a tokenization proposal filed with US securities regulators in September 2025. The Intercontinental Exchange invested in crypto exchange OKX to bring NYSE-listed tokenized stocks beginning in the second quarter of 2026.
Deutsche Börse invested $200 million in Payward in April as part of its plans to offer blockchain-based securities and tokenized investment products. CME Group announced plans for crypto futures contracts tied to Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar, with additional futures for Avalanche and Sui planned for May 4, subject to regulatory approval.
Market growth in tokenized equities
Tokenized stocks have shown significant growth, increasing 15% in the past 30 days to reach $2.53 billion in total value onchain, according to data provider RWA.xyz. The number of tokenized equity holders grew 153% to 2.45 million during the same period.
