VALR Launches xStocks, First Tokenized US Stock Trading Platform in Africa
Africa's largest crypto exchange, VALR, has launched xStocks, a tokenized equities product enabling African users to invest in US-listed companies. This positions VALR as the first platform in Africa to offer such integration.
- xStocks tokens mirror prices of US stocks and ETFs like Tesla and Coinbase
- Tokens are 1:1-backed representations of real equities without ownership or voting rights
- Trading is available on VALR's Spot market against USDT, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the South African rand
- Supports Solana-based deposits and withdrawals for fast, low-fee transactions
- Launch aligns with the global trend of tokenizing real-world assets
VALR CEO Comments on Financial Inclusion
VALR CEO Farzam Ehsani stated that xStocks enhances access to global financial assets for previously excluded users. He emphasized the importance of blending crypto with traditional finance to lower barriers and increase accessibility.
David Henderson from Backed highlighted the significance of bringing tokenized equities to users in Africa, following VALR's recent launch of the USDPC token, showcasing its strategy for portfolio diversification.
VALR, founded in 2018, serves over 1.5 million users and 1,400 institutional clients globally, with $55 million in funding from investors like Pantera Capital and Coinbase Ventures.