Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is exploring plans to bring back tokenized stock trading on its platform, nearly four years after discontinuing the product amid regulatory pressure in 2021. The move, reported in late January 2026, signals a potential return to offering digital representations of traditional equities, allowing users to trade fractional shares on blockchain-based rails, as the firm seeks to bridge crypto and traditional finance.
Tokenized stock trading refers to digital tokens that mirror the price and economic exposure of real company shares. Binance first launched stock tokens in 2021, listing products tied to major U.S. companies such as Tesla and Apple, before scaling back the offering after regulators in Europe raised compliance concerns about whether these assets qualified as securities under local law.
According to Binance, exploring a return to stock tokens is part of a broader strategy to connect traditional financial products with crypto-native infrastructure. The exchange has said it aims to expand user choices while meeting “the highest regulatory standards,” noting that it has supported tokenized real-world assets and launched regulated TradFi perpetual contracts settled in stablecoin as foundational steps toward more integrated markets.
Industry observers see the renewed interest in tokenized equities as aligned with a wider trend among crypto and traditional exchanges to offer hybrid investment services. Competitors such as Coinbase have begun rolling out stock trading capabilities to select users this year, and legacy markets like the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are developing platforms that support blockchain-based tokenised securities with 24/7 trading and on-chain settlement, innovations that could further accelerate adoption if regulatory frameworks evolve.
Binance’s potential relaunch is expected to unfold in phases throughout 2026, with an initial focus in jurisdictions where regulatory clarity for tokenized assets has improved, such as parts of Asia and the Middle East. Expanded offerings could widen access to financial markets for users who currently rely on traditional brokers, though legal and compliance hurdles remain key considerations before full implementation.
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