Could IBRX Be A Tokenized Stock? Founder’s Tease Sends ImmunityBio Traders Into Speculation Mode
ImmunityBio founder Patrick Soon-Shiong has signaled a potential move toward tokenizing the company's shares following his announcement regarding blockchain-based stock trading at Nant. This development follows the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's recent introduction of an 'Innovation Exemption,' which establishes a five-year framework for trading tokenized versions of U.S.-listed securities. Soon-Shiong, who controls 65.5% of ImmunityBio, aims to leverage Nant Global Finance’s infrastructure to integrate blockchain settlement into capital markets. The proposed platform intends to utilize automated market makers and auditable smart contracts to mirror the rights of traditional shares, including dividends and voting. Retail investors have responded with increased bullish sentiment, speculating that tokenization could mitigate issues like phantom shares and short-selling pressures. Nant Global Finance is currently assembling a suite of capabilities through acquisitions, including Horizon Globex and Upstream Exchange technology. This shift highlights the growing institutional interest in applying blockchain technology to modernize equity trading and settlement processes.