Kraken has introduced its xStocks service to investors across the European Union, giving traders direct blockchain-based access to more than 60 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs. These assets, issued on Solana and backed by fintech firm Backed, are now fully tradable on-chain.
This move underscores Kraken’s mission to make U.S. equities more accessible to global investors. Traditional cross-border investing often involves high fees, slow settlements, and reliance on middlemen. With xStocks, Kraken aims to remove those barriers and bring Wall Street closer to everyday investors in Europe.
What Sets xStocks Apart
Kraken’s xStocks come with several features that distinguish them from conventional stock trading:
- Global access with on-chain trading: EU-based investors can buy and sell tokenized U.S. equities directly, without relying on a broker.
- Extended availability: Trading runs 24 hours a day during weekdays on Kraken and continues around the clock once tokens are withdrawn to a private wallet.
- Self-custody and DeFi compatibility: Traders can move xStocks into personal wallets and even use them within decentralized finance protocols.
- Multi-chain expansion: While xStocks currently run on Solana, Kraken plans to add support for Ethereum, BNB Chain, and other blockchains to strengthen its DeFi presence.
Market Growth and Competition
The EU rollout follows Kraken’s earlier global launch to over 140 countries in June. Since then, xStocks have recorded roughly $3.5 billion in trading volume across both centralized and decentralized platforms.
This step places Kraken alongside rivals like Robinhood and Gemini, which have also brought tokenized U.S. equities to European traders through blockchain-based models.
Why It Matters for European Investors
For EU investors, xStocks provide:
- Easier access to U.S. equities with lower entry costs.
- Greater flexibility, since trading doesn’t require a broker and assets can be withdrawn anytime.
- Opportunities to integrate tokenized stocks into DeFi strategies, such as lending or yield farming.
Kraken’s expansion of xStocks into the European Union marks more than a regional launch. It represents a broader shift toward merging traditional finance with decentralized systems. By offering tokenized assets with flexible custody, extended trading hours, and cross-chain potential, Kraken is reshaping how investors around the world interact with U.S. markets.
