Ethereum News Today: Tokenized U.S. Stocks Go On-Chain, Redefining Global Market Access
1inch has integrated Ondo Finance’s tokenized U.S. equity platform, Ondo Global Markets, to provide global investors with on-chain access to over 100 U.S. stocks and ETFs. This move expands the accessibility of real-world assets (RWAs) to decentralized finance (DeFi) users and blockchain-based applications. Ondo’s tokenized equities, now live on Ethereum , are backed by securities held at U.S.-registered broker-dealers and are designed for seamless transferability across wallets and DeFi protocols. This development aligns with growing industry momentum in tokenizing traditional financial assets to enhance liquidity and cross-chain interoperability.
The tokenized assets include popular equities such as Apple and Nvidia , as well as ETFs like QQQ, offering global (non-U.S.) investors exposure to U.S. markets with 24/7 liquidity. These tokens are fully backed by underlying assets and cash in transit, with the firm planning to expand the offering to more than 1,000 assets by the end of 2025. Ondo Finance has partnered with major infrastructure providers, including BitGo, Ledger, and Chainlink , to ensure secure and efficient on-chain integration. The company has also confirmed support for expansion to Solana and BNB Chain via LayerZero interoperability protocols.
The integration of tokenized U.S. equities into 1inch’s platform represents a significant step toward bridging traditional financial markets with decentralized ecosystems. These tokenized assets can be traded, stored, and used as collateral in DeFi applications, potentially opening new avenues for capital efficiency and asset utilization. Chainlink serves as the oracle for price data, enhancing the credibility and transparency of the on-chain representations of real-world assets. Ondo’s approach mirrors the earlier success of stablecoins in bringing fiat value onto blockchains, now extending the model to equities and ETFs.
From a technical and regulatory standpoint, Ondo Global Markets operates under a framework that ensures compliance with U.S. and international financial regulations. The tokens are not registered under the U.S. Securities Act and are available only to non-U.S. investors, with eligibility criteria governed by jurisdiction-specific rules. Ondo’s platform is structured to serve institutional and qualified retail investors from regions such as Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America, bypassing traditional barriers to U.S. capital markets like high fees and geographic restrictions.
The broader implications of this launch underscore the growing convergence between traditional finance and blockchain technology. As tokenization gains traction, platforms like 1inch and Ondo are redefining access to global markets, enabling on-chain trading of real-world assets with the speed, transparency, and programmability of blockchain. This development also signals increased demand for cross-chain asset liquidity, particularly as Ethereum, Solana, and BNB Chain continue to emerge as leading layer-1 networks for DeFi and asset tokenization.
Ondo’s expansion strategy and the integration with 1inch reflect a broader industry shift toward on-chain financial products. The platform’s ability to offer 24/7 trading access, coupled with deep liquidity from traditional exchanges, provides a compelling alternative to conventional brokerage models for non-U.S. investors. As the tokenization of RWAs continues to evolve, the success of initiatives like Ondo Global Markets could influence future regulatory frameworks and investor adoption, potentially reshaping the global financial infrastructure.
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