Securitize will become NYSE’s first digital transfer agent to mint blockchain-based shares of stocks and develop standards for compliant tokenized stock issuance. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with tokenization platform Securitize, as part of a broader effort to develop blockchain-based stock trading infrastructure for Wall Street. Securitize will become the first digital transfer agent, enabling it to mint blockchain-based shares for stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the upcoming tokenized securities platform, the Digital Trading Platform, according to a Tuesday announcement from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), parent company of the NYSE. Under the MoU, the companies plan to develop a digital transfer agent program and standards for digital transfer agents and tokenization agents, with a focus on regulatory, operational and technology requirements for tokenized securities infrastructure. Read more
Solana is aiming to attract enterprises and financial institutions to its ecosystem through a new unified developer platform, which is focused on tokenization and stablecoins. The Solana Foundation has revealed it has secured Mastercard, Worldpay, and Western Union as early users of its newly launched developer platform, as part of ongoing efforts to attract enterprises to build on its blockchain. The Solana Developer Platform (SDP) was announced on Tuesday to enable enterprise developers to build on the blockchain using a unified interface. Much of the focus is on real-world asset tokenization, including stablecoins, which is currently a $328 billion market, according to rwa.xyz. More than half of the total value is held on Ethereum; however, with Solana holding 6.3% share of the tokenized real-world asset market. Read more
Mastercard’s planned BVNK acquisition highlights a shift toward infrastructure over token issuance, reflecting how major payment firms are approaching stablecoins. Mastercard’s deal to acquire BVNK for up to $1.8 billion goes beyond simply entering the crypto space. It reflects a well-thought-out strategic redirection. Rather than introducing its own stablecoin, Mastercard has opted to gain control of the underlying infrastructure that links conventional finance to blockchain-enabled payments. This approach prompts an important question: Why would a major player in payments decide against creating its own digital currency and instead invest in the systems that facilitate its movement? Read more