Nasdaq Invests $100M in Payward to Develop Tokenized Equities
Nasdaq has agreed to invest $100M in Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken. This investment is part of a strategic partnership between the two companies to develop tokenized equities. The goal is to launch a new platform for trading tokenized shares by the second half of 2027.
The partnership will also see Nasdaq's Digital Liquidity Networks division lead the development of a permanent market infrastructure. Payward will integrate Nasdaq's market surveillance technology into its platforms, which handle cryptocurrencies, stocks, and tokenized assets.
This investment is part of Nasdaq's broader strategy to develop tokenized equities. The company had previously announced a plan to design tokens that would maintain the rights and governance of traditional shares, while also allowing for more efficient transfer and communication between shareholders.