Base, Coinbase near 1:1 tokenized stocks as Robinhood leads

Base founder Jesse Pollak confirmed that the Ethereum layer-2 network is collaborating with Coinbase to develop a tokenized equities product featuring 1:1 backing by underlying shares. This initiative aims to provide users with direct equity ownership, including dividend payments and shareholder rights, distinguishing it from derivative-based models. Pollak acknowledged that the recently launched Robinhood Chain has gained a competitive advantage by successfully deploying tokenized equities within an EVM-compatible environment. While Robinhood’s current offerings function as derivative contracts under MiFID II without direct share ownership, the proposed Coinbase model seeks to improve capital efficiency and institutional trust. The broader tokenized stock market currently holds a valuation of approximately $1.85 billion, with various platforms like Backpack and xStocks also entering the space. Despite the strategic focus, Coinbase and Base have yet to disclose specific launch dates, regulatory frameworks, or custody mechanisms for their upcoming product. This development highlights the intensifying competition among major crypto entities to capture the growing real-world asset market through onchain equity solutions.