LSE Partners with Kraken to Bring Tokenized UK Stocks to Blockchain Rails
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has partnered with Payward, the parent company of Kraken, to bring tokenized UK stocks to its platform. This deal will place the top 100 London-listed companies on blockchain rails, making around $3.5 trillion in British equities accessible to eligible investors worldwide.
The partnership will allow Payward to issue blockchain-based versions of these companies' shares, each backed one-to-one by its underlying stock. The LSE plans to list these assets on its 24-hour venue, subject to regulatory approval.
This move follows the bourse's earlier plan for extended trading hours announced in July and marks a significant step towards tokenized stock trading. Julia Hoggett, CEO of LSE plc, said that this shift must preserve trust and regulatory standards while widening access for issuers and investors.