Ondo Global Markets, has received formal authorization from the Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority (FMA) to offer tokenized versions of U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to retail investors across the European Economic Area (EEA).
This approval leverages Liechtenstein’s passporting regime, extending access to all 27 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway—covering 30 countries and over 500 million potential investors.
The approval aligns with EU investor-protection standards under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, enabling compliant, on-chain trading of tokenized securities. Ondo Global Markets is the largest platform for tokenized stocks and ETFs, with over $315 million in total value locked (TVL) and more than $1 billion in trading volume since its September 2025 launch.
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Tokenization provides 24/7 access, faster settlements, lower costs, and enhanced transparency. Users undergo standard KYC processes, with tokens representing direct claims on underlying assets held in custody.
This follows Ondo’s recent U.S. expansion via the acquisition of Oasis Pro and partnerships like BX Digital for tokenized assets in Switzerland. The firm aims to expand to over 1,000 tokenized assets by year-end.
This milestone accelerates the integration of traditional finance (TradFi) with blockchain, positioning Ondo as a leader in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Community reactions on X highlight its potential to merge regulated finance with DeFi, with one post noting it as a “milestone for global asset tokenization” unlocking programmable, borderless markets.
Art Blocks Announces Final 3 Artists
Art Blocks, the leading generative NFT platform, has revealed a “final 3 artists.” For context on Art Blocks: It’s a platform for algorithmic, on-chain generative art, where artists upload code that mints unique NFTs via random seeds.
Featured artists historically include Tyler Hobbs (Fidenza), Dmitri Cherniak (Ringers), Snowfro (Chromie Squiggle), and others like Hideki Tsukamoto and Kjetil Golid. Recent updates focus on platform evolution, such as new smart contracts for lower gas fees and experimental collections like “Presents” and “Explorations.”
This reinforces Art Blocks’ $500M+ secondary market influence, inspiring platforms like Foundation or SuperRare. It also highlights blockchain’s role in art provenance, royalties 10% perpetual, and anti-censorship—vital amid rising AI art concerns.
Curation shifts might alienate purists favoring the original “Curated” rigor, and Ethereum’s scalability could limit global adoption without Layer-2 integrations.
This announcement cements Art Blocks’ legacy while pivoting to sustainable growth, potentially solidifying generative art’s place in contemporary culture—much like how photography disrupted painting, but with immutable, participatory twists.
Implications of Ondo Finance’s EU Approval for Tokenized Stocks and ETFs
By enabling compliant, on-chain access to tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs for over 500 million retail investors, this approval accelerates the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs). European retail investors, previously limited by geography, time zones, and intermediaries, can now trade tokenized assets 24/7 on blockchain platforms like BNB Chain.
This includes over 100 U.S. equities and ETFs like S&P 500 trackers, backed 1:1 by custodied securities. Tokenization reduces costs via fee-free trading on partners like PancakeSwap, speeds up settlements T+0 vs. traditional T+2, and enhances liquidity through fractional ownership.
This could onboard millions of underserved users, fostering financial inclusion—especially in regions like Eastern Europe or for younger demographics comfortable with digital wallets. Ondo’s U.S. foothold via Oasis Pro acquisition combined with this EEA passporting creates a transatlantic corridor for tokenized securities, potentially extending to Asia/Latin America via existing integrations.
As the first major tokenized equity platform under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, Ondo sets a compliance blueprint. It enforces KYC, investor protections, and transparency, reducing risks like fraud or money laundering while building trust.
This could spur a “regulatory race” among competitors like BlackRock’s tokenized funds or Swiss platforms like SIX Digital Exchange. However, ongoing EU debates on MiCA centralization might introduce hurdles, such as stricter cross-border oversight.
While compliant, tokenized assets inherit TradFi volatility; a market downturn could amplify scrutiny on blockchain’s stability. Ondo’s $315M TVL and $1B+ trading volume since September 2025 underscore growing demand. Plans to hit 1,000+ assets by year-end could balloon the RWA market. .
Blockchain enables programmable features like automated dividends or composability using tokens as collateral in DeFi protocols, potentially cutting global settlement costs by 50-80%. Increased capital flows could boost U.S. equity demand from Europe, while blockchain adoption might create jobs in fintech.
Critically, it challenges legacy systems like DTCC, pressuring incumbents to innovate. This approval isn’t just a win for Ondo—it’s a catalyst for tokenization’s mainstreaming, potentially reshaping $100T+ global securities markets by making them more accessible, efficient, and borderless.