Crypto finance company Galaxy Digital has taken a significant step in combining traditional finance with blockchain technology. The company announced the tokenization of its Nasdaq-listed shares (GLXY) on the Solana blockchain.
Galaxy Founder and CEO Mike Novogratz stated that this initiative aims to create a model that combines traditional capital markets with next-generation infrastructure. "Our goal is to create a tokenized stock that brings the best features of crypto, such as transparency, programmability, and composability, to the traditional world," Novogratz said.
Galaxy and Superstate Collaboration
This project is being implemented through Superstate's "Opening Bell" platform. Superstate introduced the "Opening Bell" platform in May to bring SEC-registered stocks to the blockchain. This platform enables the issuance and trading of real SEC-registered stocks directly on-chain, rather than synthetic or derivative products. Superstate CEO Robert Leshner described this development as "the first example of a Nasdaq-listed company being tokenized on a major public blockchain." Leshner stated that Galaxy's registered shareholder list is updated in real time as tokens change hands, and that financial markets have experienced a significant upgrade with Superstate.
With the tokenization process, Galaxy's shares will be held and transferred in their own crypto wallets by authorized investors who have completed KYC (Know Your Customer) processes. The company states that tokenized shares can be made accessible through Automated Market Makers (AMMs) and other decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms to increase liquidity and leverage.
Tokenization Trend Accelerates
Tokenization has become a rapidly growing field in recent years. According to RWA.xyz data, the total value of tokenized securities has reached $341 million. Traditionally illiquid assets, such as US Treasury bonds and private loans, are becoming more accessible thanks to blockchain technology. However, this rapid growth also raises concerns. Experts emphasize that tokenized stocks operate in a regulatory gray area and that the nature of these products can be misunderstood. "It's crucial for investors to understand that they don't own actual shares, but rather hold tokens issued by brokerage firms that allow them to benefit from the appreciation of the underlying shares," said John Murillo, chief business officer of fintech firm B2BROKER.
Galaxy's move demonstrates the growing interest in moving publicly traded companies' stocks to the blockchain. Projects like Backed Finance's xStocks platform are also operating in this area. Tokenized stocks from more than 60 companies, including Netflix, Meta, and Nvidia, are offered on blockchains like Solana, BNB Chain, and Tron. Recently, xStocks announced that tokenized stock offerings are now available on Ethereum.
