Coinbase to join tokenized stock race with onchain shares, dividend payments
CoinDesk 2026-06-16 15:03:21
Context: Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, plans to introduce tokenized stocks backed one-for-one by underlying U.S. equities, allowing users to own, trade, hold, and redeem equities on a blockchain while receiving dividends automatically. The new products, which differ from existing tokenized stock offerings by providing direct equity ownership, are set to debut in eligible jurisdictions outside the U.S. at a date yet to be announced. This move is part of a broader push across Wall Street and crypto firms to move traditional securities onchain.
Key Facts
- Coinbase plans to introduce tokenized stocks backed one-for-one by underlying U.S. equities, allowing users to own, trade, hold, and redeem equities on a blockchain while receiving dividends automatically.
- The tokenized stocks will provide direct equity ownership rather than derivative or synthetic exposure, differing from many existing tokenized stock offerings.
- CEO Brian Armstrong stated that the products will give all the benefits of true ownership, including dividend upside, with all the benefits of tokenized assets.
- The tokenized stocks will initially be available only in eligible jurisdictions outside the U.S., with a launch date yet to be announced.
- Competition in the sector has intensified, with firms such as Kraken, Robinhood, Gemini, and Bybit exploring similar products, and traditional financial markets also gaining traction with tokenization.