#Equiniti
4 articles tagged #Equiniti — curated RWA tokenization coverage.
AMC slams tokenized stocks: Why Kraken and Bullish are betting big anyway
The recent episode of CoinDesk's Public Keys highlights significant developments in the tokenized equity sector, featuring insights from industry leaders at Kraken, SoFi, and Bullish. Kraken's parent company, Payward, is expanding its footprint through strategic partnerships with SoFi and the London Stock Exchange to facilitate 24/7 access to tokenized equities via xStocks. Simultaneously, Bullish Exchange has completed a $4.2 billion acquisition of the transfer agent Equiniti to bolster its infrastructure for tokenized-share trading. These trades are now being executed on a venue regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC), marking a shift toward institutional-grade compliance for digital securities. The discussion underscores the evolving competition between various market models aiming to modernize traditional stock trading through blockchain technology. While these advancements promise increased liquidity and accessibility, they also face scrutiny from traditional market participants like AMC regarding the implications of tokenized stock offerings. This convergence of legacy financial infrastructure and distributed ledger technology represents a critical step in the broader adoption of real-world asset tokenization.
Equiniti CEO Dan Kramer makes the case for tokenized securities at Nasdaq
Equiniti CEO Dan Kramer is advocating for an integrated tokenization model that ensures blockchain-based securities maintain full legal shareholder rights, including voting and dividends. This approach seeks to bridge the gap between traditional financial infrastructure and digital assets by positioning transfer agents as the essential system of record. The strategy gains significant momentum following Nasdaq's SEC approval for token-settled equity trades, which validates the shift toward blockchain-based settlement. Bullish has agreed to acquire Equiniti for $4.2 billion in a deal expected to close in January 2027, combining digital exchange capabilities with established shareholder management services. Kramer emphasizes that issuer-sanctioned tokens are critical to avoid synthetic instruments that lack legal weight. By operating alongside existing systems rather than replacing them, this model aims to compress clearing cycles and reduce counterparty risk. This development marks a pivotal step in institutionalizing tokenized equity within regulated frameworks.
Bullish Appoints Thomas Cowan as Head of Tokenization to Advance Tokenized Securities Infrastructure
Bullish has appointed Thomas Cowan as Head of Tokenization to spearhead the development of its institutional-grade infrastructure for tokenized securities. Cowan, formerly of Galaxy, brings extensive experience in compliant equity tokenization and stablecoin strategy to the firm. This strategic hire follows Bullish's recent regulatory approval from the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission to facilitate the trading of tokenized securities. The company is currently integrating its regulated exchange, CoinDesk market data services, and the pending $4.2 billion acquisition of global transfer agent Equiniti. By combining these components, Bullish aims to create a comprehensive, end-to-end lifecycle platform for tokenized assets. The acquisition of Equiniti, expected to close in January 2027, is central to establishing the firm as a primary market infrastructure provider. This development signifies a major step in bridging traditional financial registry capabilities with blockchain-based trading environments. The move underscores the growing industry trend of institutional platforms building full-stack solutions to support the mainstream adoption of tokenized financial instruments.
Bullish (BLSH) Wins Gibraltar Approval For Regulated Tokenized Securities Trading
Bullish (NYSE:BLSH) has secured regulatory approval in Gibraltar to facilitate the trading of issuer-sponsored tokenized securities, marking a significant step in its strategy to build an end-to-end digital asset infrastructure. This regulatory milestone allows the company to provide a compliant environment for institutional issuers seeking to tokenize assets while offering 24/7 trading and near-instant settlement. Furthermore, Bullish has announced plans to acquire Equiniti, a move designed to integrate traditional corporate services and registry capabilities into its existing digital asset platform. By bridging the gap between blockchain technology and traditional capital markets, Bullish aims to capture institutional demand for regulated tokenized products. This development is critical for the RWA market as it demonstrates the growing trend of established financial entities seeking clear regulatory frameworks to support secondary trading of tokenized assets. As Bullish navigates a challenging financial period, including a reported net loss of approximately US$1.0 billion, the successful execution of this expansion strategy remains vital for its long-term viability. The integration of these services could fundamentally reshape how capital raising and secondary market liquidity are managed within the evolving digital asset ecosystem.