Kraken, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, is making a major move into the tokenized asset market by acquiring Backed Finance, a company known for its strong foothold in tokenized stocks and ETFs. The deal signals Kraken’s commitment to expanding its offerings in the real-world asset (RWA) space, an area that’s becoming increasingly vital in the evolving crypto ecosystem.
Backed Finance, based in Switzerland, has built a reputation for issuing tokenized versions of traditional financial instruments such as stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Currently, it commands about 23% of the market share in this niche. Kraken’s acquisition of Backed Finance positions it to play a much larger role in bridging traditional finance and blockchain technology.
Expanding Access to Tokenized Assets
With this acquisition, Kraken is expected to integrate Backed Finance’s technology and offerings directly into its platform. This will allow users to access a broader range of tokenized assets—such as shares of leading tech companies or index-tracking ETFs—directly from their crypto wallets.
This move is especially strategic at a time when interest in tokenized RWAs is surging. By bringing traditional assets onto blockchain rails, Kraken aims to provide more liquidity, efficiency, and accessibility to global investors.
NEW: Kraken is acquiring Backed Finance, a major tokenized-assets issuer with about 23% market share, to expand its tokenized stocks and ETF offerings across its platform. pic.twitter.com/Y7xoIWuMB6
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) December 2, 2025
Kraken’s Long-Term Vision for RWA Growth
The acquisition not only strengthens Kraken’s existing suite of products but also aligns with its broader vision to support institutional-grade financial infrastructure in the crypto space. It reflects a growing industry trend, where major players are racing to bring real-world assets into the digital economy.
By acquiring Backed Finance, Kraken is betting on the future of tokenized finance and cementing its role as a bridge between legacy financial systems and the decentralized future.