Kraken's parent company, Payward, has launched tokenized versions of more than 200 major British and European stocks, marking a significant expansion into blockchain-based equity trading. The Wall Street Journal reported the development on November 11, 2026, and Payward subsequently confirmed that the new assets are live on its xStocks platform, allowing eligible investors to access traditional equities through blockchain networks.

The launch spans prominent companies such as energy major Shell, industrial conglomerate Siemens, and luxury goods group LVMH, and covers the complete constituent lists of Britain's FTSE 100 and Germany's DAX 40, two of the most closely watched benchmark indexes in European equities.

Payward Extends Tokenized Stock Trading Across Europe

The initiative places European equities on blockchain infrastructure capable of supporting extended trading hours and digital asset transfers. Investors can obtain the tokenized securities through Kraken and other participating platforms, subject to regional restrictions. Whereas conventional stock trading follows fixed exchange schedules, supported blockchain venues can facilitate transactions around the clock, though actual availability varies by platform and jurisdiction—a distinction that has made trading-hours flexibility one of the most frequently cited arguments for bringing equities on-chain.

Each token is backed one-to-one by an underlying share held by a regulated custodian. Payward worked with financial technology provider GTN, which manages execution and custody arrangements for the traditional securities behind the tokens.

The new assets are also integrated with several blockchain ecosystems, including Ethereum, Solana, TON, Ink, and X Layer. This multi-chain setup allows compatible platforms to support token transfers and decentralized finance applications, letting the tokens move and be used across networks in broadly the same way as other digital assets.

Tokenized Equity Market Continues Rapid Expansion

The European launch pushes Payward's xStocks framework beyond 1,500 tokenized assets, according to the company's announcement. Payward reported more than $1.1 billion in assets under management and over $45 billion in cumulative transaction volume, with the platform having attracted more than 550,000 unique holders worldwide—figures that illustrate the pace at which tokenized equity products have scaled.

Access remains geographically constrained: despite the inclusion of British equities, investors located in the United Kingdom cannot currently access these products, and United States investors also face restrictions under existing securities regulations. The split highlights that access to tokenized stocks depends on the buyer's location and local regulatory treatment rather than on where the underlying company is listed.

In a related step, Payward previously partnered with the London Stock Exchange to advance tokenized equity trading. Subject to regulatory approval, the exchange intends to introduce xStocks trading through its LSE 24 platform in 2027.

Further International Expansion Planned

Payward plans to carry its tokenization initiative into Asian markets, with hundreds of Hong Kong-listed companies expected to follow in the coming weeks. The rollout reflects growing interest in connecting traditional financial markets with blockchain infrastructure, though regulatory restrictions and the differences between token ownership and conventional shareholder rights remain important considerations for investors—token holders may not receive the same voting rights or dividend treatment that come with directly held shares. With the Hong Kong rollout expected in the coming weeks and the LSE 24 launch targeted for 2027 pending approval, upcoming regulatory decisions and rollout announcements are the milestones most likely to shape how broadly these tokenized equities become available.