TLDR
- Kraken launched commission-free trading in over 7,000 U.S.-listed stocks for European Economic Area customers
- It is the first crypto exchange to offer both traditional shares and tokenized stocks side-by-side in one regulated account
- Kraken also lists over 700 xStocks, tokenized equities backed 1:1 by real shares, tradable outside market hours
- Coinbase, Binance, Crypto.com and Robinhood are also expanding into stock trading in Europe
- The tokenized stock market hit around $1.4 billion in May, drawing attention from the SEC
Kraken has launched commission-free trading in more than 7,000 U.S.-listed stocks for eligible customers across the European Economic Area. The announcement came on August 18.
7,000+ US stocks are now available to EEA users in the Kraken app 🇪🇺
Invest in stocks, tokenized equities, and crypto all in one platform.
Explore stocks ⤵️https://t.co/0BVtXJ2tf1 pic.twitter.com/ApYmHxNzOF
— Kraken (@krakenfx) August 18, 2026
The rollout runs through Kraken Pro on desktop and mobile, as well as the standard Kraken app. While there are no trading commissions, other fees and geographic restrictions may still apply.
Kraken is offering both traditional shares and xStocks, which are tokenized versions of U.S. equities backed 1:1 by the underlying shares. Over 700 xStocks and more than 600 crypto assets are also available within the same account.
The exchange says this makes it the first crypto-native platform to offer traditional equities and tokenized versions of the same assets side-by-side in a single regulated account.
Mark Greenberg, chief commercial officer of Kraken’s parent company Payward, said the launch “eliminates the artificial divide between traditional and tokenized formats of the same asset.”
How xStocks Differ From Regular Shares
Traditional shares follow standard market hours, settlement rules and shareholder protections. xStocks are blockchain tokens that allow transfers to self-custody wallets and can be traded when stock markets are closed.
Kraken also plans to tokenize allocations tied to new IPO listings. Eligible customers can submit nonbinding indications of interest, with shares tokenized once trading begins.
The stock trading service runs through Payward Europe Digital Solutions, a Cyprus-regulated investment firm operating under a MiFID license. This keeps securities services separate from Kraken’s crypto operations under Europe’s MiCA framework.
Competition Is Growing Across the Industry
Kraken is not alone. Coinbase has received U.K. regulatory approval to offer equities and derivatives alongside crypto. It already offers U.S. customers access to more than 8,000 stocks and ETFs through a separate brokerage.
Coinbase also plans to launch tokenized U.S. stocks for non-U.S. customers, backed 1:1 by real shares, with automatic dividends and onchain settlement.
Binance offers more than 7,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs to eligible non-U.S. customers and has plans for its own tokenized equity product called bStocks.
Crypto.com and Robinhood offer tokenized stocks in Europe. Bitpanda takes a different approach, offering regular U.S. stocks rather than tokenized ones.
The push is being driven by user demand. Coinbase’s U.K. CEO Keith Grose said users want to manage more of their financial life in fewer places.
The tokenized stock market was valued at around $1.4 billion in May. The SEC is exploring a framework for blockchain-based stock trading as the sector grows.
Stop guessing and start investing with confidence. KnockoutStocks gives you the AI insights, market intelligence, and stock research you need to spot opportunities, cut through the noise, and make smarter investment decisions — all in one powerful platform.
Sign up today and get 50% OFF full access to our premium stock picks.
Simply use coupon code SPECIAL50 at checkout to claim your exclusive discount.
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
