LSE Teams With Kraken Parent to Tokenize UK Stocks
The London Stock Exchange is partnering with Payward to bring UK stocks on-chain, aiming for 24/5 trading of tokenized equities.
The update
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is partnering with Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, to launch tokenized versions of UK-listed stocks. The initiative will use Payward’s xStocks framework to create a new night-time trading venue, LSE 24, which will operate 24 hours a day, five days a week. The tokenized stocks will track the value of leading UK equity products and are scheduled to begin trading in 2027.
Why it matters
This partnership marks a significant step in the convergence of traditional finance (TradFi) and digital assets. By offering tokenized equities with fractional ownership and continuous trading, the LSE is addressing the limitations of traditional stock market hours. This move follows similar efforts by major global exchanges, including Nasdaq and the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), to integrate blockchain technology into their offerings.
What to watch
The implementation of tokenized UK stocks on LSE 24 will be closely monitored by market participants. The specific details about which UK stocks will be included and how the tokenization process will be executed remain to be seen.
Sources
- cointelegraph.com — Details on the partnership, LSE 24 venue, and 24/5 trading schedule.
- coindesk.com — Confirmation of the Payward partnership and xStocks framework.