Traders are moving towards tokenized AI stocks
RWA Signal Insight
StocksThe cryptocurrency exchange MEXC reported a significant shift in trader behavior during September, characterized by a growing preference for tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs over traditional crypto assets. AI-linked equities emerged as the primary driver of this trend, accounting for 48% of total tokenized stock trading volume, which represents a 4% increase from the previous month. Trading volume for AI-related assets surged by 88%, significantly outpacing the 63% growth observed in non-AI counterparts. Investors are increasingly targeting semiconductor, networking, and data center sectors, with specific interest in tokenized versions of companies like Circle, SpaceX, and Meta. Additionally, the platform noted a 60% rise in trading volume for pre-IPO offerings, including entities like OpenAI and Moonshot AI. This rotation into tokenized equities appears to be a cyclical response to a broader crypto capital drought rather than a permanent exit from digital assets. Despite this shift, crypto-native sectors like DeFi and infrastructure have continued to outperform traditional equities over a three-month horizon, suggesting a complex, multi-directional flow of capital between these asset classes.
Key points
- AI-linked tokenized stocks accounted for 48% of MEXC's September trading volume.
- AI-related asset trading volume grew by 88% compared to 63% for non-AI stocks.
- Pre-IPO offering trading volume on MEXC increased by 60% during September.
- U.S. spot crypto ETFs recorded $212.11 million in net inflows in late October.
Background
Tokenized equities are digital representations of traditional shares issued on a blockchain, allowing for 24/7 trading and fractional ownership. These assets typically track the price performance of underlying stocks through derivative contracts or synthetic tokens provided by exchanges. This mechanism bridges traditional financial markets with blockchain infrastructure, enabling crypto-native users to gain exposure to global equity markets without leaving their preferred trading platforms.