TLDR
- Kraken expands xStocks across EU, unlocking tokenized U.S. equities access.
- Trade Google, Nvidia & more: Kraken brings tokenized stocks to Europe.
- EU users gain 24/5 access to tokenized U.S. stocks via Kraken’s xStocks.
- Kraken launches xStocks in EU with multi-chain support & lower barriers.
- Tokenized equities go mainstream: Kraken’s xStocks now live across EU.
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has launched its xStocks product across the European Union to meet rising demand for tokenized equities. The expansion grants millions of users access to trade tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs directly from the Kraken platform. This development removes traditional market barriers and deepens Kraken’s presence in the fast-evolving digital securities space.
xStocks Now Live in Europe with Expanded Blockchain Support
Kraken has now extended xStocks trading to eligible clients across the EU, allowing direct access to tokenized U.S. equities without intermediaries. These blockchain-based certificates track over 50 major U.S. stocks, including Google and Nvidia, through a decentralized and borderless system. The product gives users more control as they can self-custody the assets or use them across decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols.
BREAKING: 🇺🇸🇪🇺 KRAKEN LAUNCHES XSTOCKS IN EUROPE, EXPANDING ACCESS TO U.S. EQUITIES. pic.twitter.com/7aDN1rgRRG
— Ash Crypto (@Ashcryptoreal) September 10, 2025
The xStocks offering is available 24/5, enabling access to extended trading hours beyond traditional stock exchange windows. Users benefit from reduced costs, faster settlement, and no dependence on traditional brokers, all within a unified app. The trading assets operate as SPL tokens on the Solana blockchain, with support expanding to BEP-20 and Ethereum to increase accessibility.
Kraken partnered with Swiss fintech firm Backed to deliver this product, which has already gained significant traction. Since its initial launch, xStocks have recorded over $3.84 billion in trade volume across both centralized and decentralized platforms. The company also confirmed upcoming support for additional chains like Tron and Ink to scale xStocks even further.
Kraken Targets Market Friction and Traditional Barriers
The rollout aims to reduce historical friction for European users wanting exposure to U.S. markets. Traditional challenges such as currency conversion, settlement delays, and platform fees are no longer an issue under the xStocks model. This positions Kraken to meet growing interest in streamlined, on-chain equity exposure.
Users maintain full control of their tokenized stocks and can transfer them freely across compatible wallets and platforms. With no lock-in to specific exchanges or custodians, Kraken reinforces its commitment to permissionless finance. The integration with DeFi protocols also transforms these assets into composable financial tools.
This move aligns with broader efforts across the sector to decentralize access to real-world assets. Kraken’s latest expansion reflects a firm stance that capital markets are evolving toward openness, not exclusive or siloed systems. The model enhances transparency while minimizing reliance on traditional gatekeepers.
Tokenization Trend Gains Momentum Amid Institutional Interest
The tokenization of real-world assets has emerged as a key theme across the blockchain industry. xStocks represent a strategic step toward blending traditional equities with crypto infrastructure, enabling better reach and efficiency. Kraken’s efforts follow similar moves from Gemini and Robinhood, intensifying competition in this evolving space.
Nasdaq applied to the U.S. SEC to explore tokenized securities, signaling growing institutional endorsement. Kraken responded by emphasizing that open and interoperable systems will drive the next wave of capital markets innovation. Unlike walled platforms, xStocks can move across blockchains without constraints.
Industry observers expect tokenized markets to exceed trillions of dollars in value by the 2030s. With xStocks, Kraken positions itself at the intersection of traditional finance and decentralized technology. The multi-chain expansion and seamless user access underline its goal to democratize market participation worldwide.
