Latest news with #AdamLevi
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kraken and Backed Expand Tokenized Stocks to BNB Chain as RWA Momentum Accelerates
Crypto exchange Kraken and tokenized asset issuer Backed Finance are bringing tokenized equities to the BNB Chain (BNB), allowing trading with stocks like Apple and Nvidia around-the-clock on the network, the firms said on Wednesday. The move allows token versions of U.S. stocks such as Apple (AAPLx), Tesla (TSLAx) and S&P 500 ETF (SPYx) to be issued as BEP-20 tokens and accessible to users across BNB Chain's ecosystem. The development comes with BNB Chain joining the xStocks Alliance, a network of exchanges and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols that offers trading with 60 equity and ETF tokens on crypto rails. Kraken said it will allow users to deposit and withdraw xStocks tokens through the BNB Chain in the upcoming weeks. The goal is to integrate equity tokens deeper into DeFi, making them available to move across protocols and chains or post as collateral for borrowing, Adam Levi, co-founder of Backed, said in a press release. "This is the beginning of an always-on equity market — one that is permissionless, transparent, and built for the internet," Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken, said in a statement. "These instruments behave as programmable settlement primitives, unlocking atomic settlement, real-time global transferability, and composability with on-chain lending, derivatives, and structured products." Trading platforms are racing to bring equities onto blockchain rails as tokenization of traditional financial instruments, or real-world assets (RWA), gains steam. Backed's xStocks debuted last week on Kraken, Bybit and Solana-based (SOL) DeFi platforms, while Gemini and Robinhood have introduced trading with tokenized U.S. stocks. Crypto exchange Bitget also introduced xStocks tokens on its trading platform on Wednesday after joining the alliance, the exchange said in a press in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Kraken and Backed Deepen xStocks Reach with BNB Chain Integration
CHEYENNE, Wyo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kraken, a technology platform built on crypto that unlocks access and reduces inefficiencies to drive financial freedom, and Backed, a pioneering issuer of tokenized stocks, today announced a strategic partnership with BNB Chain, one of the world's leading blockchain ecosystems. Through this partnership, BNB Chain joins the rapidly growing xStocks Alliance, further accelerating on-chain access to tokenized U.S. equities for users across the world. In the coming weeks, Kraken will allow xStocks to be deposited and withdrawn from its platform by eligible Kraken clients via BNB Chain. As part of the collaboration, Backed will deploy xStocks - the standard for tokenized equities - on BNB Chain as BEP-20 tokens, giving users seamless access to tokenized representations of U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs. This includes assets like AAPLx, TSLAx, SPYx, and NVDAx. By expanding to BNB Chain, xStocks continues its mission to meet users where they are — bringing traditional equities onchain and opening access for underserved markets around the world. BNB Chain was selected for the alliance due to its high performance, low transaction fees, and its position as one of the largest blockchain ecosystems by on-chain activity. With around $10 billion in TVL and one of the most active Web3 user communities, it offers a strong foundation for growing tokenized asset adoption. Together, Kraken, Backed and BNB Chain remain committed to democratizing investing by enabling 24/7 exposure to U.S. markets — anytime, all over the world. Arjun Sethi, Kraken's Co-CEO said: 'The response to xStocks has made one thing increasingly clear — the future of capital markets will be chain neutral, composable, and multichain by design. Expanding to BNB Chain reinforces our core belief that tokenized equities are not just digital wrappers for traditional assets — they are a foundational upgrade to the financial system itself. These instruments behave as programmable settlement primitives, unlocking atomic settlement, real-time global transferability, and composability with onchain lending, derivatives, and structured products. 'In a world that will inevitably be multichain, it is critical that assets like equities can move fluidly across ecosystems, protocols, and liquidity layers without being gated by jurisdiction or legacy custodial rails. As more chains integrate xStocks, we are not just expanding access — we are building the infrastructure to make equities globally accessible, usable, and interoperable for both retail and institutional capital. This is the beginning of an always-on equity market — one that is permissionless, transparent, and built for the internet.' Adam Levi, co-founder of Backed said: 'xStocks are built as a neutral, public-good asset class, and expanding to BNB Chain is a key step toward making them the standard for tokenized equities. Our goal is to bring traditional finance onto blockchain rails — not just by improving access, but by enabling true composability. Integrated into DeFi, tokenized equities will surpass the scale and utility of stablecoins. With BNB Chain's global reach and deep liquidity, it's a natural partner for advancing that vision.' Sarah S, Head of Business Development at BNB Chain, said: 'Tokenizing real-world assets on BNB Chain is a meaningful step in making global finance more accessible and transparent. Our collaboration with Kraken and Backed reflects BNB Chain's commitment to bringing high-quality financial instruments on-chain and connecting traditional markets with decentralized finance for users around the world.' BNB Chain's addition marks another significant milestone for xStocks, expanding the alliance to one of the world's largest and most active blockchain ecosystems. Recently, Kraken launched over 60 tokenized U.S. equities — deployed by Backed as SPL-tokens on Solana — for users across 140 countries. This strategic partnership signals the next phase in mainstreaming tokenized equities, cementing xStocks' leading role at the forefront of this rapidly evolving digital asset landscape. xStocks are not available in the U.S. or to U.S. persons. Geo restrictions apply. About Kraken Kraken is a technology platform built on crypto that unlocks access and reduces inefficiencies to drive financial freedom — for the crypto economy and beyond. Millions of individuals, professional traders, and institutions around the world use Kraken to trade digital and traditional assets, including cryptocurrencies, national currencies, U.S. futures, and U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs. Kraken markets can be monitored and traded via the web or through the Kraken, Kraken Pro, and Krak iOS and Android apps. Futures platforms by NinjaTrader, a Kraken company, are available on desktop, web, and mobile via For more information about Kraken, please visit About Backed Founded in 2021, Backed is a Swiss-based company creating permissionless tokens tracking the value of publicly listed equities and ETFs. Its flagship product line, xStocks, provides compliant, 1:1-backed tokenized equities available across multiple blockchain ecosystems. About BNB Chain BNB Chain is a community-driven blockchain ecosystem that is removing barriers to Web3 adoption , it's one of the largest chains by trading volume and active users. It is composed of: BNB Smart Chain (BSC): A secure DeFi hub with the lowest gas fees of any EVM-compatible L1; serves as the ecosystem's governance chain. opBNB: A scalability L2 that delivers some of the lowest gas fees of any L2 and rapid processing speeds. BNB Greenfield: Meets decentralized storage needs for the ecosystem and lets users establish their own data marketplaces. Setting a high bar for security, the AvengerDAO community protects BNB Chain users while Red Alarm provides a real-time risk-scanner for Dapps. For more, follow BNB Chain on X or start exploring via our Dapp library.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Backed Finance Debuts Tokenized Stocks on Bybit, Kraken and Solana DeFi Protocols
Real-world asset tokenization firm Backed Finance is launching its tokenized stock offering on major crypto exchanges, and Solana (SOL)-based decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, bringing equities like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft and crypto-native platforms closer. The offering includes some 60 equity and ETF tokens that are available for trading around-the-clock, the company said on Monday. Crypto exchanges Bybit and Kraken are first to allow trading with the tokens, followed by integrations with DeFi apps Kamino Swap, Raydium and Jupiter later in the day, the press release said. The tokens will soon be available as collateral for DeFi lending, too, Backed said. The move comes as momentum grows for bringing traditional financial instruments including equities onto blockchain rails, also known as tokenization of real-world assets. Crypto exchanges, such as Coinbase and Gemini, are seeking to expand into tokenized securities trading, while Robinhood was reportedly working on offering tokenized U.S. stocks for EU users. Backed's rollout fits into that trend. The firm is orchestrated the xStocks Alliance, a group of exchanges and DeFi apps committed to building an open onchain market for real-world assets. "xStocks represent a monumental leap forward in democratizing access to financial markets," Adam Levi, co-founder of Backed, said in a statement. "By bringing familiar assets onto the blockchain with unprecedented accessibility, we are not just bridging traditional finance and DeFi; we are building the foundational blocks for a truly open, efficient, and inclusive global financial system where everyone can participate in wealth creation," Levi Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen.
Cision Canada
30-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Bybit's Bridge to Wall Street Gets Wider with xStocks Tokenized Equities
DUBAI, UAE, June 30, 2025 /CNW/ -- Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, today announced the listing of xStocks —a series of tokenized U.S. equities and ETFs—on its Spot platform. This move marks a major milestone in Bybit's mission to bridge the gap between traditional and digital finance, offering users unprecedented access to global financial markets through blockchain technology. The listing is made possible through a partnership with Backed, the Swiss-based issuer of tokenized financial instruments. xStocks, launched by Backed in May 2025, represents over 60 U.S.-listed equities and ETFs—including Apple, Tesla, NVIDIA, and SPY—tokenized and pegged 1:1 to their real-world counterparts. These assets are freely transferable and compatible with both Ethereum (ERC-20) and Solana (SPL), ensuring wide accessibility across centralized exchanges, DeFi protocols, and now, the trusted Bybit ecosystem. "At Bybit, we're committed to bringing the best of both traditional and digital finance to our global community," said Emily Bao, Head of Spot at Bybit. "By listing tokenized equities and ETFs, we're not just adding new products—we're empowering our users with greater choice, deeper flexibility, and more control, all within the secure and seamless Bybit experience. xStocks was the clear choice to help us deliver this unparalleled access." This listing follows the recent launch of Bybit TradFi, a unified trading interface that enables users to trade gold, forex, stock CFDs, indices, and commodities directly from the Bybit app. Together, Bybit TradFi and xStocks offer a varied and powerful toolkit to serve different trading preferences—from short-term speculation on global macro trends to long-term portfolio diversification via tokenized assets. "We're excited to welcome Bybit to the xStocks Alliance," said Adam Levi, co-founder of Backed. "This integration puts tokenized equities into the hands of millions of new users and is a significant step toward building a more open and connected financial system. Bybit's leadership in the exchange space makes them an ideal partner as we scale xStocks access globally." Unlocking a New Era of Market Access With xStocks now live on Bybit, users can: Trade tokenized stocks and ETFs directly on the Bybit Spot platform Enjoy fractional ownership, lowering barriers to entry Benefit from on-chain liquidity and global accessibility Tap into 24/7 trading, unbound by traditional market hours Access on-chain liquidity, bridging CeFi and DeFi Diversify portfolios with exposure to real-world assets "With the launch of Bybit TradFi, we're equipping our users with the tools they need to unlock value from traditional markets—without ever leaving the crypto ecosystem," added Emily. "Our partnership with xStocks strengthens our resolve to deliver more inclusive, borderless, and flexible financial access." As the crypto space evolves, Bybit remains at the forefront—connecting users not only to the future of finance, but also to the enduring opportunities of Wall Street, reimagined on-chain. The service will be available to selected Bybit users in the coming weeks. #Bybit / #TheCryptoArk About Bybit Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at
Business Wire
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Kraken Partners with Backed to Launch xStocks on Solana, Bringing Tokenized Equities to the Masses
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kraken, a technology platform built on crypto that unlocks access and reduces inefficiencies to drive financial freedom, today announced a strategic partnership with Backed, the pioneering issuer of tokenized stocks, and the Solana Foundation to bring tokenized U.S. equities to investors worldwide. Announced at Solana Accelerate, Backed will initially deploy SPL-based digital representations of U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs on the Solana blockchain. These tokenized assets will soon be available to eligible Kraken clients in select non-U.S. markets directly through the Kraken app. As part of the rollout, Backed is launching xStocks, a new tokenized equities brand designed to empower crypto platforms to offer onchain exposure to U.S. equities – with Kraken as its first launch partner. Kraken selected Solana as the launch chain for xStocks because of its unmatched performance, low latency and thriving global ecosystem. As the most used public blockchain in the world, Solana provides the ideal foundation for bringing equities onchain at internet scale. 'We're reimagining equities investing and ushering in a new wave of demand from clients seeking better alternatives to the status quo,' said Mark Greenberg, Kraken's Global Head of Consumer. 'Access to traditional U.S. equities remains slow, costly, and restricted. With xStocks, we're using blockchain technology to deliver something better – open, instant, accessible, and borderless exposure to some of America's most iconic companies. This is what the future of investing looks like.' 'This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in democratizing access to traditional finance. By bringing exposure to U.S. equities onchain we're unlocking a new era of DeFi composable, 24/7 global markets,' said Adam Levi, Cofounder of Backed. 'xStocks's infrastructure is designed to seamlessly bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized finance, and we couldn't ask for a more forward-thinking partner than Kraken to lead this charge. xStocks are designed to be a neutral, public good asset class, and we look forward to expanding xStocks to other exchanges and chains.' "This collaboration is a powerful step toward realizing the vision of internet capital markets and global, 24/7, permissionless access to the financial system," said Amelia Daly, Head of Partnerships at Solana Foundation. "By bringing tokenized U.S. equities onchain with Solana's high-performance infrastructure, this product is showing how public blockchains can unlock entirely new investing experiences at internet scale. This is what it means to build for the future of finance." Launching xStocks on Kraken builds on increasing equities momentum, and signals an intent to grow access to equities-related products worldwide. In April, Kraken launched the trading of 11,000+ U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs for U.S. clients, and plans to expand this offering to users in the U.K., Europe, and Australia in the future. Looking ahead, Kraken and Backed will also explore opportunities to bring tokenized equities to additional chains beyond Solana, accelerating innovation and expanding access to global markets like never before. About Kraken Kraken is one of the world's longest-standing and most secure crypto platforms. Our mission is to accelerate the global adoption of crypto, so that everyone can achieve financial freedom and inclusion. Globally, Kraken clients trade more than 300 digital assets and 6 different national currencies, including GBP, EUR, USD, CAD, CHF, and AUD. Founded in 2011, Kraken was among the first to offer spot trading with margin, parachain auctions, staking, regulated derivatives and index services under one roof. With millions of individuals, traders and institutions around the world, Kraken offers professional 24/7/365 client support along with one of the fastest, most performant trading platforms available. Kraken has set the industry standard for transparency and client trust, and was the first crypto platform to conduct Proof of Reserves. Kraken markets can be monitored and traded via the web or through the Kraken and Kraken Pro iOS and Android apps. For more information about Kraken, please visit
