How To Buy Tokenized Stocks, Self-Custody Them, and Earn Yield

RWA Signal Insight
StocksThe tokenized stock market has experienced significant growth, with total market capitalization reaching between $2.6 billion and $3.6 billion, representing a 632% year-over-year increase. Major platforms including Binance, Robinhood, and Coinbase have introduced their own tokenized stock offerings, which are now accessible across multiple blockchains such as BNB Chain, Solana, and Base. These assets utilize various structures, ranging from debt notes and tracker certificates to beneficial claims on custody-held shares, allowing users to bypass traditional brokerage limitations. Aave’s V4 Equities Hub on Base has further integrated these assets by enabling Coinbase stock tokens to serve as collateral for USDC loans with loan-to-value ratios up to 79%. Platforms like MetaMask and Guardis now facilitate direct trading of Ondo Finance stocks and commodities, providing 24/5 market access that extends beyond traditional Nasdaq trading hours. While this expansion offers increased liquidity and accessibility for global users, investors must navigate varying regulatory availability and potential weekend liquidity gaps. This shift highlights the maturation of on-chain equity markets, where blockchain technology provides unique utility for collateralization and self-custody that traditional finance cannot replicate.
Key points
- Tokenized stock market cap grew 632% annually, reaching up to $3.6 billion.
- Binance's bStocks reached $806 million in market value since their June 11 launch.
- Aave V4 Equities Hub on Base enables USDC lending against Coinbase stock tokens.
- Tokenized stocks are now tradable on Solana, Base, BNB Chain, and Ethereum.
Background
Tokenized stocks are digital representations of traditional equity shares issued on a blockchain, allowing for fractional ownership and 24/7 trading. These assets are typically backed by real shares held in custody or structured as derivative debt notes that mirror the underlying asset's price performance. By moving equities on-chain, protocols enable these assets to be used as collateral in decentralized finance (DeFi) lending markets.