Main crypto exchanges Binance and OKX are reportedly exploring the reintroduction of tokenized US shares.
The transfer marks a strategic pivot to seize conventional finance (TradFi) yields amid stagnant crypto buying and selling volumes, pushing platforms towards diversification into real-world property (RWAs).
A Return to Tokenized Shares?
This transfer revives a product Binance examined and deserted in 2021 attributable to regulatory hurdles. Nonetheless, it could place the exchanges to compete in a fast-growing however nonetheless nascent tokenized equities market.
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In April 2021, Binance launched inventory tokens for main names like Tesla, Microsoft, and Apple, issued by German dealer CM-Fairness AG with Binance dealing with buying and selling.
The service was discontinued in July 2021 below strain from regulators, together with Germany’s BaFin and the UK’s FCA. Regulators seen the merchandise as unlicensed securities choices missing correct prospectuses.
Binance cited a shift in business focus on the time. Nevertheless, latest experiences from The Info point out Binance is now contemplating a relaunch for non-US customers to sidestep SEC oversight, making a parallel 24/7 market.
Reportedly, OKX can be weighing related choices as a part of the alternate’s RWA enlargement. No official confirmations have emerged from both alternate, and particulars on issuers, precise listings, or timelines stay restricted.
Citing a Binance spokesperson, the report described exploring tokenized equities as a “pure subsequent step” in bridging TradFi and crypto.
Why Crypto Exchanges Need US Equities Now
Crypto markets have skilled persistent stagnation in buying and selling quantity in 2026, prompting exchanges to hunt new income streams.
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“BTC spot buying and selling exercise stays constrained thus far in 2026: Common each day spot volumes for January monitoring 2% beneath December and 37% beneath November ranges,” wrote researcher David Lawant in a latest publish.
Analysts additionally notice that Crypto markets stay largely dormant in January, with volatility and buying and selling quantity pinned close to December’s graveyard lows.
This isn’t calm consolidation however a liquidity entice, the place skinny order books amplify threat and a single poor execution can cascade into outsized losses for overexposed merchants.
In the meantime, US tech shares (Nvidia, Apple, Tesla) have sustained sturdy rallies, driving demand amongst crypto holders, significantly these with stablecoin balances, for fairness publicity with out exiting the ecosystem.
Tokenized shares permit 24/7 buying and selling of artificial property that mirror underlying share costs, usually backed by offshore custodians or derivatives reasonably than direct possession.
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The market, whereas small, is accelerating. Whole tokenized inventory worth stands at roughly $912 million, with information on RWA.xyz displaying it’s up 19% month-on-month. In the meantime, month-to-month switch volumes exceed $2 billion, and lively addresses are surging.
“I’ve purchased NVIDIA on Binance Pockets earlier than. Truly, proper now, the highest precedence for each firms ought to be launch a treasured metals market. Particularly silver—other than gold, which is appropriate for bodily storage, the others don’t have a lot storage worth. I’m in China, and even paper silver is difficult to purchase; I can solely purchase ETFs,” one person said.
Analyst AB Kuai Dong famous that official spot markets stay restricted to futures or third-party tokens like PAXG for gold.
Intensifying Competitors in Tokenized Property
This push comes amid a broader race in tokenized real-world property. Conventional gamers like NYSE and Nasdaq are looking for approvals for regulated on-chain inventory platforms, probably clashing with offshore crypto-led fashions sooner or later.
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Robinhood has already captured a major share within the EU (and EEA), launching tokenized US shares and ETFs in mid-2025. Essential metrics from Robinhood’s choices embrace:
- Expanded to almost 2,000 property with zero commissions,
- 24/5 buying and selling (migrating towards full 24/7 on its deliberate Layer 2 “Robinhood Chain” constructed on Arbitrum), and
- Integration right into a retail-friendly app.
This targets youthful, crypto-savvy customers looking for seamless cross-asset entry. Binance and OKX’s international scale, large person bases, and always-on crypto infrastructure place them to problem Robinhood’s EU dominance and develop into underserved areas (Asia, Latin America).
Their crypto-native viewers is primed for tokenized equities as a pure extension, probably accelerating adoption if launched.
The taking part in discipline additionally incorporates a parallel turf conflict between Robinhood and Coinbase, each of that are constructing “every thing exchanges” that mix shares, crypto, prediction markets, and extra.
Coinbase’s latest additions (commission-free shares, prediction markets through Kalshi, derivatives through Deribit acquisition) straight goal Robinhood’s retail strengths, whereas Robinhood counters with deeper crypto options and tokenized property overseas.
If Binance and OKX proceed, tokenized shares may function a liquidity lifeline, attracting capital again into crypto platforms and bridging TradFi yields.
Success, nevertheless, hinges on international rules, making certain liquidity and monitoring accuracy, and constructing belief amid previous shutdowns.