US Stock Transfer Agent Leader Acquired by Crypto Exchange, Accelerating Stock Tokenization
Crypto exchange Bullish announces $4.2 billion acquisition of Equiniti, a major Wall Street transfer agent. This deal, occurring amidst a heated race for tokenizing traditional securities, targets the core of stock ownership records. Equiniti maintains shareholder registries for nearly 3,000 public companies, including giants like Berkshire Hathaway, handling dividends and corporate actions. The strategic move aims to bridge legacy finance with blockchain by securing the critical "system of record" needed for legally compliant, native tokenized stocks, rather than derivatives.
The acquisition follows rapid 2026 developments: ICE (NYSE parent) announcing a 24/7 tokenized securities platform, SEC approving Nasdaq's tokenized stock pilot, and NYSE partnering with Securitize. Bullish, led by ex-NYSE president Tom Farley, positions itself as a neutral infrastructure player by owning Equiniti's extensive client network and regulatory licenses across multiple exchanges. The combined entity projects 20% annual growth for its tokenization business. This signals a convergence of crypto and traditional finance, where control over foundational infrastructure like transfer agencies will define the next era of capital markets, enabling real-time settlement, fractional trading with stablecoins, and global accessibility.
链捕手05/09 09:44
