US based crypto platform operator Kraken is continuing its march to add trading in multi-asset classes outside of digital assets, announcing the launch of US-listed stocks across the European Economic Area (EEA) under its MiFID II authorization. Eligible customers can trade US equities in the EEA on mobile or on the web now.
With this launch, Kraken said it becomes the only crypto-native platform offering European customers regulated access to both US stocks and tokenized versions of those same assets within a single, unified trading environment.
Eligible EEA-based customers can now trade over 7,000 US stocks, alongside 600+ crypto assets, and more than 700+ xStocks (tokenized versions of US-listed equities that are fully collateralized and backed 1:1 by underlying shares).
Regulated access under MiFID II
The service is provided by Kraken’s Cyprus based, CySEC-licensed European entity, Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited, an authorized MiFID investment firm, that enables eligible customers to access US-listed stocks commission-free within a regulated framework alongside digital assets.
Why access to US markets has been harder than it should be
In recent years, US capital markets have been home to many of the world’s most innovative companies, yet for investors outside the US, accessing these opportunities has often been complex, fragmented, and expensive. Building a diversified portfolio typically requires multiple platforms, moving funds between providers, and navigating inconsistent product availability.
While some brokers offer limited crypto exposure, none bring together a comprehensive suite of traditional US stocks and tokenized equivalents in a single experience. Kraken is removing that friction by bringing everything into one place, simplifying access to global markets. Trading is available on the desktop and mobile versions of Kraken Pro, as well as the Kraken mobile app.
One asset class, multiple formats
“This launch eliminates the artificial divide between traditional and tokenized formats of the same asset. With US-listed stocks and xStocks available side-by-side in a single regulated account, customers can choose how they access the same underlying exposure (whether through traditional shares or tokenized representation) without moving capital or changing platforms,” said Mark Greenberg, Chief Commercial Officer of Payward and Head of Payward Services. “That’s what modern investing should look like: one asset class, multiple formats, fully integrated.”
This launch reflects Kraken’s view that investing is becoming inherently multi-asset. Investors shouldn’t have to choose between infrastructures to access the same exposure to an asset. Kraken customers can now hold traditional shares, tokenized equivalents, or both, all within a single regulated environment without transferring capital or changing platforms.
Where xStocks fit in
xStocks extend this flexibility by combining the familiarity of stocks with the advantages of blockchain infrastructure. While traditional shares are limited by market hours and brokerage systems, tokenized equities can be transferred to self-custody wallets, integrated into onchain applications, and traded during hours where public markets are closed, all while maintaining full 1:1 backing.
Since launch, xStocks have surpassed $38 billion in total transaction volume, becoming the gold standard for tokenized equities in a market where global demand is seeking flexible access to capital markets.
Bridging two investing worlds
By integrating traditional shares and tokenized assets into one platform, Kraken bridges two investing worlds. Crypto-native investors can now access US equities without leaving a digital asset platform, while traditional investors can explore tokenized formats in a familiar, regulated environment, all with consistent underlying price exposure.
What comes next
Kraken said it plans to expand this integrated stocks offering into additional markets in the coming months, further advancing its vision of a globally accessible, multi-asset investing platform.
