Ondo Finance, a Layer 1 (L1) blockchain protocol, has recently announced the launch of Ondo Global Markets, designed to enable non-US investors to access over 100 tokenized US stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Ethereum (ETH) blockchain.
Following this announcement, the price of Ondo’s native token, ONDO, surged over 6% close to the $1 mark after opening the week at $0.86, aligned with the broader crypto market’s correction.
Founder Calls Ondo Global Markets A ‘Breakthrough’
According to the protocol’s press release, Ondo Global Markets aims to provide one of the largest gateways for global exposure to US markets, particularly for eligible investors in the Asia-Pacific, African, and Latin American regions.
The newly launched platform is now live on the Ethereum blockchain, with plans to expand to other networks, including BNB Chain, Solana (SOL), and Ondo Chain.
The new platform allows both retail and institutional investors outside the US to mint and redeem tokenized US stocks and exchange-traded funds 24/5, utilizing traditional exchange liquidity where applicable.
These tokenized assets are reportedly fully backed by the underlying securities held with US-registered broker-dealers.. Investors will benefit from total economic returns equivalent to those of the underlying stocks, including price fluctuations, dividends, and corporate actions, as each token mirrors the performance of its asset.
Nathan Allman, the Founder and CEO of Ondo Finance, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, “Ondo Global Markets is a breakthrough in financial access.”
He emphasized that the platform allows global investors to tap into the largest selection of transferable tokenized US stocks and exchange-traded funds on-chain, drawing a parallel to how stablecoins have introduced the US dollar into the digital realm.
Bridging Traditional Assets And Blockchain Technology
A spokesperson for Ondo Finance highlighted the similarities between tokenized stocks and USD-pegged stablecoins, noting that the former provides the same total-return exposure as their underlying assets:
Tokenizing the US dollar created an entirely new level of global reach and usability for dollars. Similarly, tokenized Treasuries have exploded in adoption, growing over 7,000% since 2023, because they meet real needs: 24/7 access to US dollar-denominated assets, and the ability to hold a stablecoin with yield. Ondo was one of the first movers here and continues to lead this space, with over $1.4B in TVL across 10 chains.
To facilitate this service, Ondo tokenized stocks will be supported by a wide array of leading crypto wallets, exchanges, and infrastructure providers, including Bitget Wallet, Trust Wallet, OKX Wallet, and Chainlink, among others.
The spokesperson who spoke with The Defiant believes this extensive support network allows investors to easily access and manage their tokenized equities across various on-chain applications.
When writing, ONDO trades at $0.96, being one of the few tokens recording gains in all time frames. However, despite the cryptocurrency’s 60% growth year-to-date, it still trades 54% below its $2 record price.
Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
