Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini has announced the launch of tokenized shares of MicroStrategy (MSTR) for its customers in the European Union. This initiative marks the initial phase of Gemini’s strategy to introduce tokenized U.S. equities on blockchain networks, aiming to democratize access to traditional stock markets.
Through a partnership with tokenization platform Dinari, Gemini users can now purchase fractional shares of MicroStrategy as on-chain tokens. These tokens are backed by real securities, offering investors the benefits of blockchain technology while maintaining exposure to traditional assets.
Initially, MSTR tokens will be available on the Arbitrum (ARB) network, with plans to expand to additional blockchain networks in the near future, as stated in Gemini’s announcement today.
Gemini emphasized that this move aims to combine traditional equities with the 24/7 liquidity and accessibility characteristic of crypto markets. “Anyone in the world with a smartphone and an internet connection can gain access to tokenized U.S. equities like MSTR on the blockchain,” the exchange highlighted.
The company plans to introduce more tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the coming days, positioning this product as a means to “export U.S. equities across the globe” and enable truly borderless financial participation.
Gemini underscored that these tokenized stocks provide the same economic rights as their underlying shares, where permissible. Additionally, they offer advantages such as fractional ownership, reduced transaction friction, and direct on-chain settlement, making U.S. equity markets more accessible for global investors who often face high currency conversion costs and limited brokerage options.
This launch is a key part of Gemini’s broader vision to modernize financial infrastructure by integrating traditional assets with blockchain technology. As one of the first major exchanges to offer tokenized stocks in compliance-focused jurisdictions, Gemini’s move comes amid growing institutional interest in leveraging digital asset rails for traditional securities settlement and custody.
