Nasdaq Invests $100M in Kraken Parent Payward for Tokenization Push

Nasdaq, a leading exchange operator, has taken another step in its push to expand into tokenized securities. It's investing $100 million in Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, as part of their partnership aimed at developing infrastructure for trading and settling tokenized equities.

The investment builds on a collaboration announced earlier this year between Nasdaq and Payward. Their goal is to create infrastructure that allows tokenized assets to be traded and settled outside traditional market hours while maintaining regulatory compliance and safeguards.

Nasdaq Equity Tokens (NETs) are set to launch in the second quarter of 2027 with Payward's xStocks platform. The tokens aim to preserve the fundamental principles and benefits of regulated markets, ensuring investor transparency, market integrity, and liquidity.