Bullish, Alpaca and Apex Fintech form coalition to push issuer-backed tokenized stocks
RWA Signal Insight
InfrastructureBullish, Equiniti, Alpaca, Apex Fintech Solutions, and DriveWealth have launched the Issuer Sponsored Token Coalition to establish industry standards for tokenized securities. The group aims to bridge traditional market infrastructure with blockchain networks by ensuring tokens are directly linked to a company’s official shareholder register. This model prioritizes the preservation of legal rights, including voting, dividends, and participation in corporate actions, which are often absent in synthetic or derivative stock products. By focusing on issuer-sponsored tokenization, the coalition seeks to address concerns regarding the lack of direct ownership in current tokenized equity offerings. The initiative follows a recent U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission exemption that permits limited onchain trading of U.S.-listed equities under specific conditions. Alpaca plans to leverage its Instant Tokenization Network to enhance interoperability between traditional and onchain markets. This development is significant for the RWA market as it attempts to standardize the legal and technical framework required for institutional-grade equity tokenization.
Key points
- Bullish, Equiniti, Alpaca, Apex, and DriveWealth formed the Issuer Sponsored Token Coalition.
- Coalition focuses on linking tokenized shares directly to official corporate shareholder registers.
- Standards will address settlement, custody, and interoperability with traditional market infrastructure.
- Initiative follows SEC exemption allowing limited onchain trading of U.S.-listed equities.
Background
Issuer-sponsored tokenization is a framework where digital tokens represent direct ownership in a company's equity, rather than a synthetic derivative or a contract for difference. By integrating with the official shareholder register, this method ensures that token holders receive the same legal protections and corporate benefits as traditional shareholders. This approach is considered a critical step toward the institutional adoption of blockchain-based securities.