In a landmark move for digital securities, Securitize, a regulated tokenization platform, has partnered with Computershare, the world’s largest stock transfer agent, to bring U.S. listed company equity directly onto blockchain. Announced on April 29, 2026, the collaboration introduces “Issuer-Sponsored Tokens” (ISTs), a new asset class that represents direct equity ownership in tokenized form, offering shareholders a modern alternative to traditional paper-based holdings.
Key Details and Market Reach
Computershare, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: CPU) and operating since 1978, serves over 25,000 corporate clients and employs more than 11,000 people globally. Its issuer services arm will integrate IST processing into existing shareholder management workflows, allowing corporate actions—such as dividend distributions and proxy voting—to run seamlessly across both tokenized and conventional holdings. Securitize, which currently manages over $4 billion in assets under management (AUM) as of April 2026, is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and operates an Alternative Trading System (ATS) as well as a registered transfer agent. It is the only firm licensed to operate regulated digital-securities infrastructure in both the United States and the European Union under the EU DLT Pilot Regime, and was recently named to the Forbes 2026 Top 50 Fintech list.
ISTs: Direct Equity, Not Derivatives
Carlos Domingo, co-founder and CEO of Securitize, emphasized that ISTs are fundamentally different from derivative tokens that merely represent claims on underlying shares. “ISTs create direct equity ownership in token form without altering the underlying equity itself,” Domingo explained. Issuers participating in the program can maintain full control over their capital structure. They are not required to replace existing share structures; instead, they can offer ISTs alongside shares held in the Direct Registration System (DRS), giving shareholders the choice of how they hold their securities rather than forcing a conversion. Shareholders can opt to consolidate their digital holdings in a self-custody wallet, enjoying the same rights—including dividends and other corporate actions—as traditional registered holders.
Regulatory Compliance and Future Roadmap
The IST structure was designed to operate within existing regulatory frameworks. Ann Bowering, CEO of Issuer Services at Computershare North America, stated: “We designed ISTs to operate within the existing regulatory environment, maintaining the independence and oversight that issuers and regulators expect from a transfer agent.” The agreement does not require issuers to replace existing shares; ISTs can coexist with traditional equity. Securitize has also announced a proposed business combination with Cantor Equity Partners II, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEPT), which remains pending. As more issuers and platforms adopt the IST standard, interoperability with broader market infrastructure is expected to develop. Securitize already works with major asset managers including Apollo, BlackRock, BNY, Hamilton Lane, KKR, and VanEck on tokenized fund offerings, underscoring the growing institutional appetite for onchain securities.
Implications for the Market
This partnership represents a significant step toward the mainstream adoption of tokenized public equities. By leveraging Computershare’s vast client base and Securitize’s regulatory approvals, ISTs could soon become a standard option for U.S. listed companies looking to modernize their capital markets infrastructure. The move also aligns with broader trends in the financial industry, where blockchain technology is increasingly seen as a means to reduce settlement times, increase transparency, and enable 24/7 trading. As the first issuer-sponsored token program backed by a major transfer agent, ISTs could accelerate the transition from paper-based to digital ownership of public equities.