The New York Stock Exchange and Blockchain.com have inked a deal that could change how you invest. Through a new memorandum of understanding, the two companies plan to allow Blockchain.com users to trade tokenized versions of US stocks and ETFs. This would happen on a digital alternative trading system (ATS) currently being developed by the NYSE, pending regulatory approval.
The move toward 24/7 trading
This partnership isn't just about stocks; it’s a data exchange. ICE Data Services, an NYSE affiliate, will start distributing crypto analytics to its clients, while Blockchain.com will integrate NYSE data feeds into its own app.
Experts are watching this closely because of the potential for 24/7 trading. Reid Noch, vice president of US equity market structure at TD Securities, noted that this shift could be a game-changer for retail investors. “The bigger differentiator is true weekend trading,” Noch said. He explained that this could be particularly relevant for retail-heavy stocks when big news breaks over the weekend.
A broader market shift
This deal arrives as major players like Kraken, Binance, and Robinhood are all racing to bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain tech. The market for tokenized assets is growing fast, with data from RWA.xyz showing that the total distributed value hit $3.14 billion this week—an 18% jump in just 30 days.
Meanwhile, the regulatory landscape is shifting. The SEC recently introduced a five-year “Innovation Exemption” for certain tokenized securities, allowing them to function without being hit with the same requirements as traditional exchanges. However, this exemption has strict rules, and not all existing tokenized products currently qualify.
Why it matters
Traditional finance is finally catching up to the crypto world’s 24/7, instant-settlement culture. By tokenizing stocks, platforms like the NYSE want to bring the convenience of crypto trading to the massive world of traditional equities.
