The world’s largest post trade market infrastructure provider is moving deeper into blockchain-based finance through a new partnership with Stellar.
Key Takeaways
- DTCC plans to connect its tokenization service with the Stellar public blockchain by 2027.
- The initiative follows a December 2025 SEC no action letter allowing DTCC to tokenize DTC custodied assets.
- Potential tokenized assets include Russell 1000 stocks, ETFs, U.S. Treasuries, bonds, and notes.
- DTCC says investor protections and safeguards will remain identical to traditional securities markets.
What Happened?
The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, better known as DTCC, announced a new partnership with the Stellar Development Foundation to bring tokenized versions of traditional financial assets onto the Stellar blockchain network.
The companies expect DTC tokenized assets to become available on Stellar during the first half of 2027. The initiative forms part of DTCC’s broader multi-chain digital asset strategy following regulatory approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in late 2025.
BREAKING: $114T+ custodian DTCC taps Stellar to bring stocks, ETFs and U.S. Treasuries onchain.
— MSB Intel (@MSBIntel) May 27, 2026
DTC-tokenized assets are expected to go live on Stellar in 2027. pic.twitter.com/MKA49xRbj6
DTCC Pushes Further Into Blockchain Finance
DTCC plays a major role in the global financial system by handling post trade clearing, settlement, custody, and transaction processing for traditional markets. The company processes trillions of dollars in securities activity and acts as one of the most important pieces of financial infrastructure in the United States.
Under the new partnership, DTCC plans to connect its tokenization platform with the Stellar public blockchain. The goal is to allow traditional assets held within The Depository Trust Company infrastructure to move into blockchain based environments while preserving existing regulatory protections.
According to the announcement, the tokenized assets will maintain the same investor rights, entitlements, and safeguards associated with traditionally held securities.
Frank La Salla, President and Chief Executive Officer of DTCC said:
He added that tokenization could improve liquidity, increase transparency, reduce operational costs, and support extended trading hours across markets.
SEC Approval Opened the Door
The partnership follows a December 2025 no action letter issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The regulatory guidance authorized DTCC to implement and operate a service designed to tokenize real world assets held under DTC custody.
That approval gave DTCC regulatory confidence to move forward with blockchain-based settlement infrastructure without waiting for a full rulemaking process around digital securities.
The companies said the tokenization system will support the complete asset lifecycle, including reporting functions and corporate actions tied to securities ownership.
Industry observers view the development as one of the clearest signs yet that large scale U.S. financial infrastructure firms are becoming more comfortable using public blockchain networks rather than relying only on private systems.
Russell 1000 Stocks and Treasuries Among Targets
DTCC and Stellar said they are evaluating several highly liquid asset classes for tokenization. The early focus includes:
- Russell 1000 constituent stocks
- Exchange traded funds tracking major indexes
- U.S. Treasury bills, notes, and bonds
- Corporate bonds and other fixed income products
The companies aim to create tokenized versions of these instruments that can settle onchain while remaining connected to traditional custody systems and regulatory oversight.
DTCC Managing Director and Global Head of Digital Assets Nadine Chakar said Stellar’s focus on compliance, scalability, and low cost operations made it a strong fit for the initiative.
Why Stellar Was Selected?
The Stellar blockchain has historically focused on payments, regulated financial products, and asset issuance. The network is often viewed as more institution friendly compared to fully permissionless blockchain ecosystems.
Denelle Dixon, CEO and Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation, said the partnership demonstrates how public blockchain infrastructure can integrate with regulated financial markets.
The companies also confirmed plans to support interoperability across multiple blockchain networks, including both Layer 1 and Layer 2 ecosystems.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
I think this is one of the strongest signals yet that traditional finance is no longer treating tokenization as a side experiment. In my experience, when institutions as large as DTCC begin integrating public blockchain infrastructure into core market operations, it usually means the industry has moved beyond the testing phase.
I found the focus on highly liquid assets like Russell 1000 stocks and U.S. Treasuries especially important because it shows tokenization is moving toward mainstream capital markets rather than niche crypto products.
