Digital assets exchange Gemini has taken a significant step toward merging traditional finance (TradFi) with decentralized finance (DeFi) by launching a new batch of tokenized stocks for European Union investors.
Announced on July 3, 2025, this release includes U.S. equities such as Tesla (TSLA), NVIDIA (NVDA), Costco (COST), Palantir (PLTR), Boeing (BA), Lockheed Martin (LMT), SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), Robinhood (HOOD), Goldman Sachs (GS), Coinbase (COIN), Marathon Digital (MARA), Circle (CRCL), Apple (APPL), Amazon (AMZN), Disney (DIS), Google (GOOGL), Microsoft (MSFT), Netflix (NFLX), Intel (INTC), Dell (DELL), and Meta (META).
This follows Gemini’s initial rollout of tokenized MicroStrategy (MSTR) shares on June 27, 2025, marking a broader push to democratize access to U.S. equities through blockchain technology.
Tokenized stocks, issued on the Arbitrum blockchain in partnership with Dinari, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, allow EU investors to trade fractional shares of U.S. companies 24/7 without the need for a U.S. brokerage account.
This initiative addresses longstanding barriers in traditional financial markets, such as restricted trading hours, high fees for international investors, and limited access in certain regions.
By leveraging blockchain’s transparency, instant settlement, and global accessibility, Gemini offers a frictionless trading experience that combines the economic rights of traditional equities with the efficiency of crypto markets.
The new batch of tokenized stocks, announced during Gemini’s “List-a-Thon” livestream on July 3, 2025, includes blue-chip companies and crypto-related firms, reflecting a strategic blend of TradFi stability and DeFi innovation.
For instance, Strategy, known for its significant Bitcoin holdings, appeals to crypto-savvy investors seeking indirect exposure to Bitcoin’s price movements.
Meanwhile, companies like Apple, Microsoft, and NVIDIA cater to traditional investors looking for familiar, high-value assets.
The inclusion of ETFs like SPY further diversifies the offering, enabling investors to gain broad market exposure through a single tokenized asset.
Gemini’s partnership with Dinari ensures regulatory compliance and liquidity, with tokens backed by real securities to provide the same economic rights as traditional shares, where permitted.
The use of Arbitrum, an Ethereum Layer-2 network, enhances transaction speed and reduces costs compared to traditional stock exchanges, aligning with DeFi’s promise of efficiency.
Gemini plans to expand tokenized stock trading to additional blockchain networks, further improving interoperability and access.
This move reflects a growing industry trend toward real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, projected to reach a $4 trillion market by 2030.
Competitors like Coinbase, Kraken, and Robinhood are also exploring tokenized U.S. equities for non-U.S. markets, with Coinbase seeking SEC approval for similar offerings in the U.S. Gemini’s MiFID II license from Malta positions it favorably in the EU, where progressive regulations like MiCA enable tokenized securities.
However, U.S. investors remain excluded due to stricter regulatory hurdles, highlighting a jurisdictional divide in the global adoption of tokenized assets.
While tokenized stocks offer benefits like fractional ownership and improved trading, they carry risks akin to traditional equities, including price volatility driven by market sentiment, economic conditions, and geopolitical events.
Gemini charges a 1.49% fee on tokenized stock trades, and investors are advised to consult tax advisors for capital gains or income tax implications.
Gemini’s expansion into tokenized stocks positions it as a key player in bridging TradFi and DeFi, offering EU investors a modern, blockchain-based gateway to U.S. equities.
As the financial ecosystem evolves, Gemini’s focus on security, compliance, and innovation underscores its vision to redefine global finance.
