The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is taking a major step into blockchain finance through a new partnership with digital asset firm Securitize. According to the Wall Street Journal, the two companies plan to develop a platform for issuing and trading tokenized securities around the clock, with full shareholder rights including voting power and dividend access.
Securitize as First Digital Transfer Agent
Under the agreement, Securitize will act as NYSE’s first digital transfer agent, responsible for converting traditional stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) into blockchain-based tokens. Transfer agents maintain shareholder records, issue certificates, and handle dividend payments. The partnership also includes creating a framework for other transfer agents to set standards for issuing and managing tokenized securities in a compliant manner.
NYSE’s proposed platform, called the Digital Trading Platform, is designed to support 24/7 trading and near-instant settlement. Investors may also fund transactions using stablecoins, marking a departure from traditional markets that operate on fixed hours and slower settlement cycles. Unlike many existing tokenized stock offerings that function like derivatives, NYSE aims to provide real ownership rights, including dividends and voting.
Carlos Domingo, Founder and CEO of Securitize, shared on X: “NYSE plans to partner with Securitize as a premier design partner in the development of a digital transfer agent program intended to support on-chain settlement of tokenized security transactions. We plan to focus on establishing regulatory, operational, and technology requirements for institutional-grade tokenized securities infrastructure.”
Growing Competition on Wall Street
This move follows NYSE’s earlier filing to launch the platform, as competition intensifies. Nasdaq recently received approval to support tokenized trading within its existing infrastructure, but it plans to rely on traditional clearing systems, while NYSE is building a separate blockchain-based venue. Industry leaders see this as a turning point. Tokenization could reshape how assets like stocks, bonds, and funds are issued and traded, making markets faster, more transparent, and more accessible by placing ownership records directly on blockchain networks.
Still, challenges remain. Past tokenized products have faced pricing gaps and regulatory questions. NYSE and Securitize aim to address these issues by working directly with issuers to create native digital securities rather than synthetic versions. The initiative signals a broader shift on Wall Street, where major institutions are moving quickly to integrate blockchain into core financial infrastructure. NYSE’s parent company, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), recently invested in crypto exchange OKX at a $25 billion valuation, further underscoring the institutional embrace of digital assets.