Apple and Meta reject tokenized stock plans, leaving crypto firms as issuers

tokenized stock plans — Major tech firms Apple and Meta have declined to participate in a tokenized stock program proposed by crypto exchange OKX and Intercontinental Exchange’s Bakkt, leaving crypto-native companies as the primary issuers.

The program, which would allow for the trading of tokenized versions of traditional stocks, saw approximately 90% of the initially selected issuers opt out. However, six companies, including prominent crypto firms like Coinbase, Circle, and Robinhood, have not raised any disclosed objections to the plan.

The rejections from Apple and Meta highlight a continued hesitancy from some traditional corporate giants toward crypto-based financial products. Their absence shifts the focus squarely onto digital asset companies that are more willing to explore tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs).

This development underscores the ongoing divide in corporate strategy regarding blockchain integration, with crypto firms increasingly positioned as the primary drivers for bringing traditional equities onto decentralized ledgers.