Tokenized stocks go 24/7: Armstrong’s cheeky market makeover

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There’s a buzz in the air that’s less champagne, more alarm clock: tokenized stocks are supposedly about to remix global markets. Imagine 24‑hour trading, fractional slices of ownership, and settlements that arrive faster than your last text message-allegedly courtesy of Coinbase chief Brian Armstrong. If you listen closely, you can hear the spreadsheets sigh with relief and the coffee machines sob with exhaustion. 😂

  • Armstrong says tokenized stocks could unleash 24/7 trading, fractional ownership, real-time settlement, perpetual futures, and on‑chain governance that might actually make adults feel in control of their portfolios.
  • Fans see tokenization as democratizing access and trimming out intermediaries, while critics point to weak on‑chain enforcement, regulatory gaps, and risks from non‑issuer “side bet” tokens.
  • Tokenized equity transfers hit about $2.46 billion last month as Coinbase chases an all‑in‑one platform for crypto, stocks, and commodities by 2026.

Armstrong proclaimed that tokenized stocks will widen international access, let people buy fractional shares, enable perpetual futures, and bring governance innovations-perhaps a little on‑chain civics with your morning latte. Real‑time settlement would speed things up, and who knows what governance models may sprout when the blockchain gets chatty. ⏳🌍

The crypto crowd is split like a cardigan on a windy London street. Andreas Kohl backs tokenizing shares but balks at derivatives of CSD‑held shares on Base, arguing the real treasure lies in on‑chain direct registration systems (DRS) and disintermediated trading for native Bitcoin. He suggests post‑fiat markets could dodge monetary policy manipulation and even ban naked short selling. 💭💸

Bridget Jones would approve: Armstrong stays bullish on tokenized stocks

Other commentators balance optimism about broad tokenization in the years ahead with governance concerns. Critics accuse Washington of clinging to outmoded Wall Street politics to hamstring blockchain innovation, and compare the plan to 2008 bailouts that favored the comfy over the clever. 🏛️🤹

The German Foundation Coin warned that tokenization requires teeth-as in enforcement teeth. Access and liquidity can scale quickly, but trust and enforceability won’t unless legal rights, settlement finality, and accountability are designed and enforced on‑chain rather than promised off‑chain.

Tokenization is expanding retail access and democratizing investment by letting ordinary people access assets once reserved for high‑net‑worth investors, say market watchers. Retail interest is rising fast, though professionals caution newcomers that tokenized stocks can be less regulated in places, so maybe borrow the caution of a sensible aunt at Sunday lunch. 🧇🔎

Georgetown’s James Angel noted that a token is an instrument not issued by the company and can act as a side bet on corporate prospects, highlighting legal and financial risks and the need for clearer rules. 🧭

The total value of tokenized equity transfers rose to roughly $2.46 billion last month, according to available data.

Armstrong outlined a growth strategy for Coinbase, saying the company plans to build an all‑in‑one exchange platform by 2026 that will let users trade cryptocurrencies, stocks, and commodities in one glamorous, possibly chaotic, marketplace. Because who doesn’t want their entire financial life in a single glossy dashboard? 💼🚀

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2026-01-12 13:53