Crypto.com rolls out tokenized stock derivatives as crypto exchanges push into equities

Crypto.com has launched tokenized derivatives tracking 1,500 U.S. equities and ETFs, allowing eligible users in the European Economic Area to gain synthetic exposure to assets like Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla. These products, issued by Foris Capital CY Limited, enable 24/7 trading with positions starting at $1, though they do not grant legal ownership or voting rights associated with traditional shares. The underlying assets are held by U.S. broker-dealer Alpaca, leveraging the MiFID license Crypto.com acquired through its May 2025 purchase of Foris Capital. This expansion reflects a broader trend among major crypto exchanges to bridge the gap between digital assets and traditional financial markets. With the tokenized stock market reaching $2.49 billion in value—a 600% increase over the past year—the sector is rapidly evolving toward the $2.6 trillion valuation projected by Citi for 2030. The move highlights the growing competition between synthetic derivative models and issuer-sponsored onchain shares. As infrastructure providers like the DTCC and major exchanges explore tokenization, the industry faces ongoing regulatory scrutiny regarding market integrity and the distinction between synthetic tracking and direct asset ownership.