Securitize has partnered with Computershare in a move that could significantly accelerate the tokenization of traditional equities.
Securitize CEO Carlos Domingo shared the news on X, reflecting on its positioning in the firm’s broader push to tokenize the world. The collaboration expands on that vision, which is increasingly gaining traction across both crypto-native firms and traditional financial institutions.
How Securitize & Computershares System Would Work
Rather than replacing existing systems, the model integrates tokenized shares into the current framework. The partnership will allow companies to issue tokenized equity alongside traditional shares. Thus, investors will be able to hold either conventional shares or blockchain-based tokens representing the same provider. This model ensures continuity in how equities are issued, tracked, and managed.
The digitized shares, labeled Issuer-Sponsored Tokens (ISTs), are a new form of equity issued directly by companies. These tokens represent real ownership, not synthetic exposure or wrapped assets, and carry the same economic rights as traditional shares.
ISTs coexist with shares held through existing systems, such as direct registration, giving investors flexibility in how they hold their assets. This distinguishes the model from earlier tokenization efforts that relied heavily on derivatives or intermediaries.
Computershare, the world’s largest transfer agent, will manage shareholder records across both formats. Its role includes maintaining registries, processing dividends, and facilitating proxy voting, ensuring that tokenized shares remain fully integrated within established financial systems.
A $70 Trillion Market Moves Closer On-chain
The implications of this partnership are significant. Computershare services close to 60% of S&P 500 companies, including Apple, Nvidia, Tesla, Disney, and Coinbase. With that roster, the framework could eventually bring the $70 trillion U.S. equity market on blockchain rails.
Tokenization offers several advantages, including faster settlement, improved accessibility through digital wallets, and more efficient ownership management. If adopted at scale, it could fundamentally reshape how equities are issued, held, and transferred.
Meanwhile, Securitize already manages over $4 billion in tokenized assets and works with major institutional partners such as BlackRock. Additionally, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) recently tapped Securitize to develop a destination for 24/7 tokenized securities trading.
The firm’s latest move marks a broader expansion from private markets into public equities, a far larger and more complex segment of finance. It also reflects a broader shift in financial infrastructure. Traditional institutions are increasingly adopting blockchain-based systems, with tokenization emerging as a key area of focus. Rather than remaining experimental, tokenized assets are now being positioned as part of the core financial stack.
Temitope Olajide
