
What Are Tokenized Stocks?
Tokenized stocks represent blockchain-based digital assets that mirror the price of traditional company shares, offering 24/7 trading, fractional ownership, and instant settlement. These assets are typically structured as either asset-backed, where a custodian holds the underlying equity, or synthetic, which relies on price feeds and derivatives. The market saw significant growth in 2026, with Binance launching bStocks in June and the DTCC launching its tokenization service in October. Regulatory progress in the United States accelerated in September 2026 when the SEC issued a five-year Innovation Exemption to facilitate compliant on-chain stock trading. As of October 2026, bStocks maintained an 11.2% DeFi utilization rate, highlighting the integration of these assets into broader decentralized finance ecosystems. While adoption is rising among crypto-native users, retail access remains geographically restricted based on local licensing and regulatory frameworks. This shift toward on-chain equities represents a major evolution in market infrastructure, moving away from traditional brokerage hours and settlement cycles.











