Payward Services Launches Tokenized IPO Access for Retail Investors
- Retail investors can participate in US initial public offerings (IPOs) at the offering price through Payward Services, a Kraken-affiliated company.
- Tokenized shares will be issued at the IPO price and backed 1:1 by underlying stock held in custody by a regulated entity.
- The first tokenized IPO offerings are expected to be available in the coming weeks for Kraken customers and xStocks Alliance members.
- Payward Services processed over $30 billion in transaction volume during its first year, with more than $6 billion settled onchain.
- The real-world asset (RWA) market has reached $51 billion, growing by approximately 42% this year according to Bernstein Research.
This initiative aims to democratize access to IPOs, which have traditionally favored institutional investors. By allowing retail investors from various global locations similar access to US-listed IPOs, Payward Services is leveraging blockchain technology to enhance financial inclusivity.
With over $30 billion processed in its first year, Payward’s new program represents a significant step toward making IPO participation accessible for all investors globally.
