Payward xStocks, a division of Payward and parent company to the cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, has extended its global reach by adding more than 200 tokenized UK and European stocks to its portfolio. The expanded list now features major corporations such as HSBC, Shell, LVMH, and Airbus, pushing Payward’s total asset selection to over 1,500.
New Tokenized Equities and Expanded Access
The latest initiative marks Payward’s move beyond US-listed tokenized equities. Through a partnership with GTN, a global brokerage infrastructure provider, the company is now offering digital tokens fully backed 1:1 with the underlying shares held in custody. The first rollout targets high-volume, actively traded firms from UK and European markets.
These tokenized assets can be accessed via Kraken as well as other trading platforms participating in the xStocks Alliance. Payward is involved with multiple blockchain networks, including Solana, Ethereum, TON, Ink, and X Layer, enabling the issuance and transfer of these digital securities.
The expansion not only allows Payward xStocks to widen its international footprint but also offers investors a broader range of blockchain-based financial instruments.
Mini dictionary: GTN, short for Global Trading Network, provides digital brokerage and custody technology that supports seamless access to global equities and is a key partner in Payward xStocks’ international tokenization efforts.
Mark Greenberg, Payward’s chief commercial officer, highlighted the company’s goal of removing geographical barriers in investment portfolios. He stated, “We aim at making the investment portfolio less limited by geographical constraints.”
Mark Greenberg underlined that the company’s mission is to empower investors by providing access to global equities through tokenization, reducing the limitations traditionally imposed by borders.
The listing of UK and European stocks is just the first phase of a broader effort to offer tokenized foreign equity. Payward had previously announced a partnership with GTN to expand xStocks internationally, with plans to include assets from Hong Kong, South Korea, and other markets in the future.
Payward’s collaboration with the London Stock Exchange (LSE) was revealed in September, which will bring the top 100 London-listed equities to the xStocks platform. The LSE plans to support xStocks trading via its LSE 24 platform, further integrating traditional equity markets with blockchain-based assets.
| Region | Asset Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Equities, ETFs | Listed |
| United Kingdom | Top 100 equities | Listed |
| Europe | 200+ equities | Listed |
| Hong Kong | Hundreds of equities | Upcoming |
Rapid Growth in Assets and User Base
Since launching in June 2025, Payward xStocks has rapidly built its presence, initially concentrating on tokenized US securities and ETFs before expanding internationally.
The company shared that its assets under management have surpassed $1.1 billion, with cumulative trading volumes now above $45 billion. The total number of unique account holders has reached 550,000, up from 200,000 earlier this year, highlighting the strong demand for tokenized equities.
The company reported its tokenized stock offerings are now accessible in more than 110 markets, though geographic restrictions remain in place for some locations.
Despite the addition of UK and European stocks, Payward xStocks’ services are currently not available to residents of the UK or the US.
Nasdaq’s Strategic Investment in Payward
Institutional interest has grown in tokenized securities, with Nasdaq making a $100 million investment in Payward on September 10, 2026, through Nasdaq Ventures. This investment also expanded the collaboration on Nasdaq Equity Tokens and enhanced market surveillance efforts.
The investment indicates a growing drive among traditional financial players to bridge the gap between conventional stock markets and blockchain technology. Tokenized securities enable companies to represent traditional shares as blockchain-based assets that remain tied to their underlying value.
Payward xStocks’ ongoing expansion now includes not only US but also UK, European, and soon Hong Kong equities, although regulations will remain a significant factor shaping future growth.
