Major crypto exchanges Binance and OKX are reportedly exploring the reintroduction of tokenized U.S. equities, signaling a strategic shift toward traditional financial (TradFi) yield as crypto trading volumes remain subdued in 2026.
If confirmed, the move would mark a renewed attempt to bridge crypto markets with traditional equities, positioning both platforms within the rapidly growing — yet still nascent — real-world asset (RWA) tokenization sector.
A Return to Tokenized Stocks?
The reported initiative would revive a product Binance previously launched — and later abandoned — in 2021 due to regulatory pressure.
In April 2021, Binance introduced tokenized versions of major U.S. stocks, including Tesla, Apple, and Microsoft, issued by German broker CM-Equity AG, with Binance facilitating trading. These instruments allowed users to gain price exposure without owning the underlying shares directly.
However, the service was shut down just three months later following scrutiny from regulators such as Germany’s BaFin and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Authorities viewed the products as unlicensed securities offerings that lacked proper disclosures and investor protections.
While Binance cited a shift in strategic focus at the time, recent reporting from The Information suggests the exchange is now reconsidering tokenized equities for non-U.S. users, potentially avoiding direct oversight from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) while enabling a parallel 24/7 market.
OKX is also reportedly evaluating similar offerings as part of its broader RWA expansion, although neither exchange has issued an official confirmation. Details regarding issuers, supported equities, custody models, or launch timelines remain limited.
A Binance spokesperson reportedly described tokenized stocks as a “natural next step” in bridging TradFi and crypto markets.
Why Crypto Exchanges Want U.S. Stocks Now
Crypto markets have experienced persistent stagnation in trading volumes throughout 2026, prompting exchanges to seek new revenue streams.
“BTC trading activity has remained constrained so far in 2026: January’s average daily volume was down 2% from December and 37% below November levels,” researcher David Lawant noted in a recent market update.
Analysts also observe that volatility and spot trading activity have remained near record lows, creating thin order books and increasing execution risk for leveraged traders. This environment has pushed platforms to look beyond pure crypto products.
Meanwhile, U.S. technology stocks such as Nvidia, Apple, and Tesla have continued to post strong performance, driving demand among crypto-native users — particularly those holding large stablecoin balances — for equity exposure without leaving the crypto ecosystem.
Tokenized equities typically offer synthetic price exposure to underlying stocks, often backed by offshore custodians, derivatives, or structured products rather than direct share ownership. While the market remains small, growth has accelerated.
According to data from RWA.xyz, the total market capitalization of tokenized equities stands at approximately $912 million, up 19% month-over-month, with monthly transfer volumes exceeding $2 billion and a rising number of active addresses.
One user commented:
“I previously bought NVIDIA through a Binance wallet. Right now, the top priority for exchanges should also be launching tokenized precious metals markets — especially silver. In China, even paper silver is hard to access without ETFs.”
Analyst AB Kuai Dong noted that most official spot exposure remains limited to futures or third-party tokens such as PAXG for gold.
Intensifying Competition in Tokenized Assets
The reported move comes amid a broader race to dominate tokenized real-world assets.
Traditional financial institutions, including NYSE and Nasdaq, are seeking regulatory approval for on-chain equity platforms, which could eventually challenge offshore crypto-led models.
At the same time, Robinhood has gained significant traction in the EU and EEA, launching tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs in mid-2025. Key features of Robinhood’s offering include:
Nearly 2,000 assets with zero commissions
24/5 trading, with plans to expand toward full 24/7 access
Integration into a consumer-friendly app
Development of a Layer 2 network, Robinhood Chain, built on Arbitrum
Robinhood’s strategy targets younger, crypto-savvy users seeking seamless multi-asset access.
Binance and OKX, however, bring global scale, massive user bases, and always-on crypto infrastructure — positioning them to compete with Robinhood’s European dominance and expand access in under-served regions such as Asia and Latin America.
Their existing crypto-native audiences may view tokenized stocks as a natural extension rather than a new product category, potentially accelerating adoption.
A Broader “All-in-One” Exchange Battle
The competitive landscape is also shaped by an ongoing rivalry between Coinbase and Robinhood, both aiming to become all-in-one financial platforms.
Coinbase has recently expanded into:
Commission-free stock trading
Prediction markets via Kalshi
Crypto derivatives following its acquisition of Deribit
These moves directly challenge Robinhood’s retail strengths, while Robinhood continues to push deeper into crypto and offshore tokenized assets.
If Binance and OKX proceed, tokenized equities could emerge as a liquidity bridge — drawing capital back into crypto platforms while capturing TradFi yield.
However, long-term success will depend on regulatory clarity, reliable price tracking, sufficient liquidity, and the ability to rebuild trust after earlier product shutdowns.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research before making any financial decisions.
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