Coinbase Says Its Tokenized Stocks Set the Standard — But Nasdaq Is Backing a Rival

Coinbase is positioning its tokenized stock offerings as the industry standard by providing 1:1 backed securities that include full voting rights and dividend distributions for non-U.S. investors. Unlike synthetic derivatives that merely track price, these tokens represent a beneficial claim on underlying shares held in bankruptcy-remote custody. The assets are designed to function within the Base ecosystem, enabling 24/7 trading, lending, and collateral usage. Simultaneously, Nasdaq is intensifying the competition by investing $100 million into Payward, the parent company of Kraken, to develop Nasdaq Equity Tokens. This partnership aims to launch a regulated infrastructure for tokenized equities by the second quarter of 2027. While Coinbase focuses on deep integration with DeFi protocols and Chainlink oracles, Nasdaq is prioritizing the connection between blockchain assets and traditional financial markets. This rivalry highlights a broader shift in the RWA sector, where the primary value is moving from simple asset issuance to the development of robust, cross-market infrastructure. The outcome of this battle will likely determine how traditional securities are bridged into an always-on, programmable financial system.