Weekly Project Updates: LayerZero to Launch Blockchain‑Based Exchange This Fall, Ethena Unveils Four Major Ecosystem Updates, Coinbase Rolls Out Tokenized Stocks on Base, etc
RWA Signal Insight
StocksBase has officially launched tokenized stocks under the B20 standard, allowing users to hold 1:1 backed shares of companies like Apple and NVIDIA in self-custody wallets. Administered by Alpaca as the regulated broker and custodian, these assets enable 24/7 trading, lending, and integration into broader DeFi applications. This development marks a significant step in bringing traditional equity markets on-chain, enhancing liquidity and composability for retail and institutional participants. Simultaneously, World Liberty Financial has secured conditional OCC approval to establish a national trust bank, aiming to house reserve assets for its USD1 stablecoin to improve compliance and reduce operational costs. These events highlight a growing trend of integrating regulated financial instruments and stablecoin infrastructure directly into blockchain ecosystems. The move toward on-chain equities and bank-backed stablecoins signals a shift in how institutional-grade assets are managed and accessed within decentralized finance. By leveraging regulated custodians and established banking frameworks, these projects aim to bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain-native utility.
Key points
- Base launched B20 tokenized stocks, including Apple and NVIDIA, via custodian Alpaca.
- World Liberty Financial received conditional OCC approval to establish a national trust bank.
- Tokenized stocks on Base support 24/7 trading, lending, and DeFi composability.
- World Liberty aims to house USD1 stablecoin reserves within its own banking system.
Background
Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain incubated by Coinbase, designed to provide a secure, low-cost, and developer-friendly environment for on-chain applications. Tokenized stocks represent real-world equity ownership recorded on a distributed ledger, allowing for fractional ownership and programmable utility while maintaining a 1:1 backing with traditional assets held by regulated custodians.