Nasdaq Ventures Invests $100 Million in Payward to Enhance Tokenized Equities Initiative
Here's what it means for you.
This investment signals a significant shift towards integrating traditional equity markets with blockchain technology, impacting how you might trade and invest in the future.
What happened
On September 10, 2026, Nasdaq Ventures announced a $100 million investment in Payward Inc., the parent company of Kraken, at a valuation of $21 billion.
The Context
- Strategic Partnership: This investment expands a partnership initiated in March 2026 aimed at developing tokenized equities infrastructure.
- Market Surveillance Integration: Payward will implement Nasdaq’s market surveillance technology across various trading venues, enhancing regulatory compliance.
- Broader Industry Trends: The move aligns with a growing interest in tokenized assets and 24/7 settlement capabilities among U.S. exchange operators.
The Number
— This valuation reflects increased investor confidence in Payward's infrastructure expansion and the potential for tokenized equities to reshape market dynamics.
Takeaway
As Nasdaq and Payward prepare for the launch of Nasdaq Equity Tokens in Q2 2027, expect a transformative impact on how equity markets operate.
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Nasdaq invests $100 million in Kraken parent Payward at $21 billion valuation
Nasdaq has announced a strategic investment of $100 million in Payward, the parent company of Kraken, at a valuation of $21 billion. This partnership aims to enhance their collaboration on tokenized equities, market surveillance, and blockchain-based...
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Nasdaq invests $100M in Kraken parent at $21B valuation: Report
<p style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 15px; width:240px;"><img src="https://s3-images.ctmedia.io/media/article-covers/2026/09/01M25GY9FFQYCM09EZBK4ZWEWH/hi-kraken-review-2025-your-new-go-to-crypto-exchange.jpg" alt="Nasdaq invests $100M in Kraken pa...
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Nasdaq invests $100 million in Kraken parent company Payward at $21 billion valuation
Nasdaq has announced a $100 million investment in Payward, the parent company of Kraken, at a valuation of $21 billion, aiming to enhance their strategic partnership focused on tokenized, voting-enabled equities for crypto exchange users.
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Nasdaq commits $100 million to Kraken parent Payward
Nasdaq has invested $100 million in Payward, the parent company of the cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, enhancing an existing partnership that includes tokenised equities and digital-market infrastructure. This investment positions Nasdaq as a shareho...