Kraken has announced a landmark collaboration with Wallet in Telegram and the tokenization firm Backed, aiming to make tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs accessible to more than 100 million Telegram users.
Through this new integration, Telegram’s in-app crypto wallet will support xStocks, a growing collection of blockchain-based equity tokens fully backed by real shares. This move highlights Kraken’s continued expansion into blockchain investing platforms that merge everyday user experiences with modern financial technology.
Expanding xStocks Into Everyday Digital Life
The partnership marks a defining step in crypto investing, embedding tokenized assets directly within a widely used messaging ecosystem. Telegram users will soon find a new Stocks & ETFs section inside Wallet in Telegram, where they can purchase, hold, and manage xStocks alongside other crypto assets.
The plan is to eventually roll out 60 tokenized versions of US equities and ETFs, featuring major names including Coinbase (COINX), Amazon (AMZNX), and MicroStrategy (MSTRX). The initial phase will begin by launching 35 tokenized ETFs and equities.
For many retail investors, this marks their first entry point into blockchain equities without the friction of opening brokerage accounts or moving across multiple platforms.
Next Phase of Integration With the TON Blockchain
Following the initial app integration, the Kraken xStocks partnership will extend into Telegram’s TON Wallet, a self-custodial solution powered by the TON blockchain. This phase introduces full ownership, as users will control private keys and manage their tokenized stocks independently.
The TON deployment also enhances interoperability, enabling cross-chain access and allowing tokenized equities to move beyond centralized custody. By combining Telegram’s reach with TON’s open infrastructure, the collaboration connects traditional financial assets to a decentralized ecosystem, setting a new benchmark for TON DeFi integration.
Building New DeFi and Web3 Mini-App Possibilities
Integrating xStocks within Telegram and TON will help expand functionality across Web3 mini apps. Developers can now design decentralized applications that use tokenized stocks as collateral or as programmable assets.
For instance, lending protocols on TON could allow users to borrow against xStocks holdings, while Telegram mini apps might introduce gamified investing dashboards or fractional ownership models. These capabilities push tokenization beyond speculative trading into a functional layer of the blockchain economy, reinforcing Kraken’s goal of making crypto useful in everyday digital interactions.
Leadership Commentary and Strategic Direction
Wallet in Telegram CEO Andrew Rogozov believes that this initiative represents a major stride in breaking the long-standing barriers that have kept millions away from global markets. He highlighted that integrating tokenized equities directly inside Telegram’s wallet will allow users worldwide to explore investment opportunities without needing specialized platforms or technical knowledge.
Arjun Sethi, the Kraken Co-CEO, describes that the partnership is about making financial access more seamless and inclusive. He says, ‘Hundreds of millions use Telegram every day, and now they can access tokenized equities directly inside one of the most familiar apps in the world.’
Adam Levi, co-founder of Backed, emphasized that the project isn’t just about digitizing stocks but reimagining how individuals engage with wealth creation. According to him, this collaboration brings blockchain finance one step closer to the mainstream by combining compliance, security, and usability in a single, accessible experience.
Transparency and Investor Confidence
Trust remains central to Kraken’s approach to tokenization. Each xStock token is backed 1:1 by its underlying equity or ETF, with audited reserves maintained by Backed under a compliant framework.
For new entrants to crypto asset tokenization, this one-to-one collateralization acts as a trust anchor. It aligns with Kraken’s 14-year track record of security and compliance, which reinforces user confidence across its broader exchange ecosystem.
xStocks Momentum and Cross-Chain Growth
The xStocks product line has already surpassed $4.5 billion in trading volume across centralized and decentralized platforms. Following successful deployments on Solana, BNB Chain, TRON, and Ethereum, its new integration with TON positions xStocks as a truly cross-chain solution.
Kraken’s strategy centers on making tokenized equities borderless and interoperable, allowing users from different ecosystems to trade and manage real-world assets with ease. By connecting these networks, the exchange moves closer to a future where tokenized ETFs and stocks flow freely across the broader crypto landscape.
Redefining Global Market Access
Ultimately, the Kraken xStocks partnership with Wallet in Telegram and Backed is about making global financial accessibility a reality. By embedding regulated tokenized equities within a mainstream messaging app, Kraken is lowering the entry barriers that have long kept billions out of traditional capital markets.
Users can now trade and hold blockchain-based equities in the same app they use to communicate, creating a blend of finance and everyday digital behavior. This initiative redefines how people interact with wealth creation and marks a turning point for the Telegram trading app ecosystem.
