Nasdaq Puts Millions into Blockchain Stocks with Full Shareholder Rights
Nasdaq is making a significant push into blockchain technology by investing $100 million in Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken. This investment aims to launch Nasdaq Equity Tokens (NETs) by the second quarter of 2027.
NETs are designed as blockchain-based representations of stocks listed on Nasdaq, allowing for 24/7 trading and on-chain settlements. This means that markets won't shut down at 4 PM Eastern or take two days to finalize a trade.
Nasdaq's 'issuer-sponsored' model will enable public companies to maintain control over their ownership records and corporate governance. If you hold a NET, you're not holding a derivative or synthetic wrapper that roughly tracks a stock's price, you hold the real thing, with the legal rights attached.