Payward and London Stock Exchange Partner to Expand Tokenized UK Stocks
Payward and the London Stock Exchange have entered a partnership aimed at expanding blockchain-based access to major UK-listed companies, with plans to tokenize the 100 largest London-listed firms.
Under the agreement, eligible investors across 110 countries will be able to access the tokenized shares through around-the-clock trading. The initiative is designed to create an additional distribution channel for London-listed companies while connecting traditional equities with blockchain-based markets. According to the announcement.
Each xStock is designed to represent a corresponding share on a one-to-one basis. The tokens track the underlying share price and can be transferred across exchanges, personal wallets and blockchain applications.
The products are not currently available to investors based in the UK. However, the framework could give London-listed companies access to a broader international investor base through blockchain infrastructure.
xStocks Record $40 Billion in Trading Volume
Payward’s xStocks framework has already processed more than $40 billion in trading volume and $20 billion in onchain settlements.
The platform has also attracted more than 200,000 holders, reflecting existing demand for tokenized representations of traditional financial assets.
The partnership with the London Stock Exchange extends that model toward a larger group of publicly traded companies. By representing listed equities on blockchain networks, investors can gain access to markets operating beyond conventional trading hours.
LSE 24 to Support Regulated Tokenized Stock Trading
Subject to regulatory approval, the London Stock Exchange plans to list xStocks through LSE 24, a recently announced venue designed to support continuous trading.
The regulated platform is expected to provide 24-hour trading and expand the selection of tokenized assets available through the exchange’s infrastructure.
Over time, supported xStocks are expected to represent securities listed across the United States, European Union, United Kingdom and Hong Kong.
LSE member firms could also gain access to international markets operating continuously through established exchange infrastructure, potentially connecting traditional market participants with blockchain-based trading and settlement systems.
Partnership Could Lead to Native Equity Tokens
The agreement also includes plans for Payward and the London Stock Exchange to explore native equity tokens issued directly through London Stock Exchange infrastructure.
Under the proposed structure, these tokens could provide the same shareholder rights as their traditional counterparts while remaining fully fungible with the corresponding shares.
For London Stock Exchange members, the model could enable equities to be issued and serviced onchain within a regulated market environment. It would combine blockchain-based settlement capabilities with the established protections and standards associated with public equity markets.
Payward Co-CEO Arjun Sethi described the partnership as a connection between blockchain-based access and established financial infrastructure. He highlighted tokenization’s potential to change how equities are traded, settled and transferred.
London Stock Exchange CEO Julia Hoggett said tokenization should maintain investor rights and regulated market standards as financial markets adopt new distribution models. She also emphasized the importance of preserving trust during the transition toward tokenized markets.
The first London-listed xStocks are expected to launch through Kraken and other platforms participating in the xStocks Alliance.
The partnership marks a further step toward integrating blockchain-based assets with established equity-market infrastructure and could expand the way UK-listed companies reach international investors.
Writer: Marcus RenfieldCrypto Market Analyst & Onchain WriterMarcus Renfield covers cryptocurrency markets with a focus on onchain data, Bitcoin price action, and emerging market narratives. His writing examines how capital flows, network activity, and broader market structure influence short- and medium-term trends.He aims to provide clear, data-informed analysis for readers seeking a deeper understanding of crypto market dynamics.