# $4.2B Bet on 24/7 Markets: Bullish Moves Deeper Into Tokenized Securities

> Bullish is acquiring Equiniti for $4.2B to expand into tokenized securities as Wall Street accelerates its shift toward 24/7 onchain markets.

By Lidia Yadlos · May 5, 2026

Canonical: https://blockster.com/42b-bet-on-247-markets-bullish-moves-deeper-into-tokenized-securities

Bullish is making a major move into traditional financial infrastructure, agreeing to acquire transfer agent Equiniti in a $4.2 billion deal. The acquisition gives the crypto exchange direct access to one of the most critical layers of public markets as it expands into tokenized securities.

[Equiniti](https://equiniti.com/us/) services nearly 3,000 companies, including firms like Berkshire Hathaway and Rolls-Royce, managing shareholder records, dividend distribution, and ownership data. These functions sit at the core of how markets operate.

By bringing this infrastructure in-house, [Bullish](https://www.bullish.com/us) is positioning itself beyond a trading platform and into the backend systems that power capital markets. As part of the deal, Bullish will also assume $1.85 billion in debt, with the transaction expected to close in January 2027 pending regulatory approval.

## The Endgame: 24/7 Tokenized Markets

This move goes beyond expansion—it’s about reshaping how markets operate. Bullish is positioning itself for 24/7 trading of tokenized securities, with stablecoin settlement and onchain ownership built in. The direction is clear: markets that don’t close, settle instantly, and run on programmable infrastructure.

[Post from @WSJ on X](https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/2051603981139374112?s=20)

## Wall Street Is Moving — Fast

Bullish’s move comes as traditional finance accelerates its push into tokenization. The New York Stock Exchange has partnered with Securitize, while Intercontinental Exchange is developing a tokenized securities venue designed for 24/7 trading and onchain settlement.

Regulators are also beginning to engage. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently approved a pilot from Nasdaq to support tokenized equities. At the same time, crypto-native platforms like Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken are already experimenting with tokenized stock offerings.

Both traditional and crypto platforms are now moving toward the same model.

> Investor demand is starting to follow. The value of tokenized stocks has risen 31.4% over the past 30 days to $1.25 billion, while the number of holders has increased by 10%.

Despite that growth, tokenized equities remain a small segment of the broader tokenized real-world asset market, which sits at around $30 billion. Tokenized U.S. Treasuries continue to dominate, followed by commodities and credit markets. Still, equities are beginning to gain traction as infrastructure improves and access expands.

[Post from @Securitize on X](https://twitter.com/Securitize/status/2049164238078591133?s=20)

## Bigger Than One Deal

This acquisition reflects a broader shift across financial markets toward speed, programmability, and continuous access.

Bullish isn’t just expanding—it’s securing a critical piece of infrastructure for onchain capital markets, where control over ownership records may prove just as important as the trading platforms themselves.