Telegram is bringing tokenized stocks and ETFs directly to its users through a new partnership with Kraken and Backed, the operator behind xStocks.
Key Takeaways
- Telegram’s Wallet will begin offering tokenized versions of 60 US stocks and ETFs starting in October 2025.
- The initial rollout will include 35 assets like Nvidia, Coinbase, and Robinhood, with support expanding to over 60 by the end of 2025.
- Kraken and Backed will power the infrastructure, ensuring all assets are fully collateralized 1:1 with underlying equities.
- The integration will first launch in emerging markets, with commission-free trading until the end of 2025.
What Happened?
Telegram has announced a significant move into the world of tokenized equities by partnering with crypto exchange Kraken and Backed. The trio will bring xStocks, a platform for tokenized US equities and ETFs, directly into Telegram’s Wallet. The rollout will begin with a curated list of 35 tokenized stocks in October, eventually expanding to more than 60 assets by late 2025.
⚡️ Breaking: U.S. stocks and ETFs are coming to Wallet!@wallet_tg users will soon be able to trade shares of major U.S. companies — from $Apple, $Tesla and $Nvidia to the S&P 500. Access to the U.S. financial market is made possible through our partnership with @krakenfx and… pic.twitter.com/2EKBMkGsbq
— Wallet in Telegram (@wallet_tg) October 1, 2025
Tokenized Stocks Coming to Wallet in Telegram
Telegram is adding a new “Stocks and ETFs” section within its Wallet interface, starting in October 2025. This will allow users to buy, sell, and manage tokenized versions of US-listed companies such as:
The offering is powered by xStocks, developed by Backed, with all tokens fully collateralized 1:1 with real-world equities. The move aims to combine traditional financial instruments with blockchain technology, creating a seamless trading experience inside a messaging app used by hundreds of millions globally.
Aiming at Emerging Markets First
The initial launch will be rolled out in select emerging markets, although the exact countries have not been disclosed. Telegram’s spokesperson emphasized that compliance and a smooth user experience will be prioritized during the early stages. This strategy mirrors past integrations by xStocks on platforms like Alchemy Pay, which also focused on developing regions.
To ensure accessibility, trading tokenized stocks and ETFs will be commission-free until the end of 2025, although standard withdrawal fees will still apply.
Self-Custodial Expansion via TON Wallet
Telegram plans to expand this offering to its TON Wallet, the self-custodial solution built on the TON blockchain, by the fourth quarter of 2025. This will give users greater control, allowing them to manage tokenized assets directly without relying on third-party custody.
This TON-based integration also opens up broader utility:
- Tokenized stocks could be used as collateral in decentralized finance (DeFi) apps and Web3 mini apps.
- Developers will be able to build new solutions that go beyond traditional financial rails.
Industry Leaders Weigh In
Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi commented:
Andrew Rogozov, CEO of Wallet in Telegram, said:
Backed’s co-founder Adam Levi added:
Transparency and Regulation
Unlike many tokenized equity platforms, xStocks places strong emphasis on regulatory transparency and investor protection. All tokenized assets are issued under a compliant prospectus and are backed 1:1 by the real-world underlying stock or ETF.
Bitcoin ETFs are notably excluded from the initial offering, although Bitcoin will remain available as a standard crypto asset in Telegram Wallet.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
I find this move incredibly smart. In my experience, getting average users to engage with financial markets has always been a challenge. By embedding tokenized stocks directly into a messaging app like Telegram, it’s now easier than ever for people to start investing. This isn’t just a technical integration, it’s a paradigm shift in how we access capital markets. It merges the convenience of social apps with the innovation of DeFi. If Telegram nails the user experience and maintains compliance, this could be the most powerful bridge between traditional finance and blockchain yet.
