Securitize, Computershare open path for $70 trillion U.S. stocks to move onchain

The tie-up between the tokenization specialist and transfer agent giant lets public companies issue blockchain-based shares without changing market structure.

What to know:

• Securitize and Computershare will let U.S.-listed firms issue tokenized shares alongside traditional stock.
• Computershare serves over half of the S&P 500, and will act as transfer agent for tokenized holdings.
• Structure keeps shares within current rules while giving investors a blockchain-based holding option.

BlackRock-backed Securitize and Computershare are bringing parts of the $70 trillion U.S. stock market onchain via tokenized equities, in a move that pushes traditional Wall Street infrastructure closer to blockchain rails.

The agreement allows listed firms to add tokenized equity — called Issuer-Sponsored Tokens (ISTs) — alongside existing shares, giving investors the option to hold stock through traditional systems or in a digital wallet.

The effort is part of a broader push to make tokenized shares work within current market rules while offering new ways to hold and move assets, from wallet-based ownership to faster settlement. Transfer agents like Computershare sit at the center of that system, maintaining shareholder records and handling corporate actions.

By integrating at that layer, the companies aim to avoid a common crypto workaround, in which tokens represent claims on shares rather than the shares themselves.

Securitize is a blockchain-based firm, enabling real-world assets, such as equities and funds, to be issued, traded, and managed in tokenized form on blockchain networks.

Blockchain meets transfer agents

Under the setup, Computershare will act as transfer agent for tokenized shares just as it does for traditional ones. That includes managing records and processing events like dividends or stock splits across both formats.

Securitize provides the underlying technology, but like other recent efforts in the space, the blockchain component sits mostly in the background. The tokens are designed to represent direct ownership, not derivatives layered on top of existing stock.

"ISTs do not rely on derivative tokens that sit on top of underlying shares," said Securitize CEO Carlos Domingo. "They provide U.S. issuers with the ability to create direct equity ownership in token form."

Computershare's reach could give the effort scale. The firm serves more than 25,000 companies and acts as a transfer agent for about 58% of the S&P 500.

The structure also keeps issuers in control of their shareholder base, a key requirement for public companies. "Our focus has been to empower U.S.-listed companies to issue tokenized equity while retaining control," said Ann Bowering, CEO of issuer services at Computershare North America.

More For You

The AAVE-led response and new safeguards underscore the sector's maturity as the bank maintains its $2 trillion RWA outlook.

What to know:

• Standard Chartered said the $292 million exploit triggered contagion across decentralized finance, hitting AAVE liquidity.
• Industry backstop of $300 million helped stabilize deposits and yields.
• The bank maintained its $2 trillion tokenized RWA forecast by 2028.

CoinDesk 20 performance update: Litecoin (LTC) gains 2.4%, leading index higher

15 minutes ago

DeFi shaken by $292 million hack, but showing resilience, Standard Chartered says

38 minutes ago

GSR says Crypto Core3 ETF is simple gateway for mainstream investors

50 minutes ago

Galaxy Digital leads $20 million investment in Fence to overhaul back end of $6 trillion credit market

1 hour ago

MoonPay acquires Israeli crypto security firm Sodot in $100 million stock deal

1 hour ago

First central bank to test bitcoin says asset is ‘too risky’ for reserves

1 hour ago

There's a social media groundswell predicting bitcoin above $90,000. That might be a problem.

4 hours ago

Bitcoin rebounds from key support as traders eye renewed push toward $80,000

2 hours ago

Institutional money is coming for bitcoin, but Adam Back says it moves slower than you think

9 hours ago

Tether leads Belo's $14 million raise to expand stablecoin payments across Latin America

2 hours ago

Paul Tudor Jones calls bitcoin the 'best inflation hedge,' warns of overvalued stocks

17 hours ago

'Crypto Godfather' says bitcoin has not reached its bottom and a new all-time high is off the table for 2026

22 hours ago