Nasdaq Backs Tokenized Equities with $100 Million Investment in Kraken's Parent

Nasdaq has invested $100 million in Payward, the parent company of Kraken, valuing it at $21 billion. This deal expands on a partnership between Nasdaq and Payward announced in March to support tokenized equities.

The investment aims to connect Nasdaq-listed equities with tokenized trading through Kraken's platform. It also brings Nasdaq surveillance tools into Payward's broader markets infrastructure, covering crypto, equities, tokenized equities, futures, and options venues.

This move follows recent European expansion efforts tied to tokenized stocks from major exchanges like Deutsche Börse and the London Stock Exchange. Tokenization is becoming a core part of Nasdaq's growth narrative, with its $21 billion valuation suggesting that it sees tokenization as a significant opportunity for growth.