Nasdaq Invests Big in Blockchain Trading Platform with Kraken

Nasdaq is investing $100 million in Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, to develop an infrastructure for trading tokenized equities. The project, called Nasdaq Equity Tokens, aims to launch by 2027.

The initiative will allow for continuous trading and settlement of securities via blockchain, removing traditional market hour constraints. By integrating Nasdaq's exchange architecture with Kraken's digital asset expertise, the firms intend to create a platform where traditional stocks are converted into digital tokens.

This move shifts tokenization from experimental phases to a regulated market framework, enabling investors to potentially enjoy 24/7 liquidity and reduced settlement times.