Nasdaq CEO cites tokenisation potential as 24-hour trading looms
Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman highlighted the potential of tokenisation to unlock billions in capital, citing increased institutional interest and the need for 24-hour trading infrastructure. Tokenised stock market cap grew 473% this year to $3.75B, with major issuers like Ondo Finance and xStocksFi. BNB Chain, Ethereum, and Solana are leading networks. According to Token Relations, Securitize launched tokenised stocks on Solana, backed by U.S. equities including Apple and Tesla.
How this was made

The 30-second read
Why it matters
The announcement could position Nasdaq as a pioneer in digital asset infrastructure, influencing investor sentiment toward exchange‑linked crypto solutions.
Market read
The quote introduces a potentially transformative product line for Nasdaq, with modest immediate trading impact but notable strategic relevance.
What to watch
Potential resistance from traditional custodians and the need for robust AML/KYC frameworks.
Background
Nasdaq's leadership is exploring tokenisation to increase liquidity of locked collateral and enable 24‑hour trading.
Ticker impact
Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman announced tokenisation plans that could unlock tens of billions of dollars, indicating a strategic shift for the exchange.
likely modest upside as investors price in new tokenisation initiatives.
The statement is a fresh executive quote introducing a new market concept; impact depends on adoption and regulatory progress.
Market effects
May spur interest in tokenisation across financial services and crypto infrastructure providers.
Highlights growing global demand for 24‑hour trading and tokenised assets.
Signals a broader shift toward digital asset integration in capital markets.
Counterpoint
Adoption could be slower due to regulatory uncertainty and technical challenges.
Key entities
- ExchangeNasdaq
U.S.-listed stock exchange operator (ticker NDAQ).
- Crypto ExchangeKraken
Private cryptocurrency exchange mentioned as interested in tokenisation.



