Nasdaq invests $100 million in Kraken parent Payward ahead of planned tokenized stocks

The short version

• Nasdaq's venture arm is injecting $100 million into Kraken's parent entity, Payward.[CNBC]
• The companies are preparing to roll out tokenized equities in the second quarter of 2027.[CNBC]
• Investors in tokenized assets will not hold direct ownership of the underlying assets.[CNBC]
• The transaction lifts Payward's valuation to $21 billion, according to reporting cited from Bloomberg.[CNBC]

Key facts

• Nasdaq's venture capital division is investing $100 million in Payward, the parent company of Kraken.[CNBC]
• The joint initiative targets a rollout of tokenized equities during the second quarter of 2027.[CNBC]
• The financing values Payward at $21 billion, based on reporting from Bloomberg.[CNBC]
• Buyers of tokenized assets will lack direct ownership of the underlying securities.[CNBC]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Nasdaq invests $100 million in Kraken parent, eyeing 2027 launch of 'tokenized' stock tradingCNBC