Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has announced a strategic partnership with Tron DAO to bring its tokenized equities platform, xStocks, to the TRON blockchain ecosystem. Through collaboration with financial technology partner Backed, Kraken will deploy xStocks as TRC20 tokens on the TRON network, maintaining full 1:1 backing with underlying equity assets listed on the exchange platform. This integration enables eligible clients to deposit and withdraw tokenized stocks directly through TRON’s infrastructure, expanding accessibility options for users seeking exposure to traditional U.S. equities through blockchain technology.
The TRON integration represents Kraken’s third major blockchain expansion within a 60-day period, following successful launches on Solana and BNB Chain networks. Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi emphasized that this rapid multi-chain deployment reflects the company’s commitment to building an open, permissionless, and interoperable architecture for tokenized equity trading. The strategic approach aims to provide users with maximum flexibility in choosing their preferred blockchain environment while maintaining consistent access to traditional stock market exposure through cryptocurrency platforms.
TRON founder Justin Sun highlighted the significance of bringing tokenized equities to decentralized networks, noting how blockchain technology can create more efficient and accessible markets for global users previously excluded from traditional equity trading. The collaboration demonstrates the growing convergence between conventional financial markets and decentralized finance infrastructure, potentially opening new investment opportunities for international users who face barriers in accessing U.S. stock markets through traditional brokerage channels.
Since launching in late June, xStocks has demonstrated strong market adoption with over $2.5 billion in combined centralized and decentralized exchange volume, serving Kraken clients across more than 140 countries worldwide. The tokenized equity product provides direct exposure to U.S. stocks while leveraging blockchain technology’s advantages including 24/7 trading capabilities, programmable smart contracts, and global accessibility. Kraken and Backed have indicated plans to continue expanding xStocks availability to additional high-performance blockchain networks, furthering their goal of democratizing access to traditional equity markets through innovative cryptocurrency infrastructure.
