A digital representation of a traditional financial asset—such as a share, bond or fund—recorded on a blockchain or similar electronic ledger so ownership and transfers are tracked automatically. It matters to investors because tokenized securities can make buying, selling and dividing assets faster, cheaper and available around the clock, potentially increasing liquidity and allowing investors to buy smaller slices of expensive assets, while also introducing platform, custody and regulatory considerations.
digital transfer agentfinancial
A digital transfer agent is a service that keeps and updates official ownership records for securities using modern online systems instead of paper files, often automating share issuance, transfers, dividend payments and regulatory reporting. For investors this matters because it speeds up trades, cuts costs, reduces errors and makes ownership clearer and easier to verify—think of it as a bank’s online account manager replacing manual paperwork for your stock holdings.
broker-dealerfinancial
A broker-dealer is a licensed firm or individual that both executes trades on behalf of clients (acting as a broker) and buys or sells securities for its own account (acting as a dealer). Investors care because broker-dealers provide the plumbing of markets — they place orders, hold or move cash and securities, offer research or advice, and their stability and fees directly affect trade execution, costs, and the safety of client funds; think of them as a combined travel agent and taxi for your investments.
blockchain-native securitiestechnical
Digital securities that are created, recorded and transferred directly on a blockchain, similar to how a deed or share certificate might be replaced by a tamper‑proof digital token on a shared ledger. For investors this can mean faster settlement, easier division into smaller pieces, and more automated rules for transfers and payments, but it also brings new custody, legal and regulatory considerations that can affect liquidity and risk.
on-chain settlementtechnical
On-chain settlement is the process of recording and finalizing a financial transaction directly on a blockchain, a shared and tamper-resistant digital ledger, so the transfer of an asset or ownership becomes visible and verifiable on that ledger. For investors it matters because on-chain settlement can speed up finality, reduce intermediaries and counterparty risk, and provide transparent proof of ownership, while also exposing holdings and depending on the security and rules of the underlying blockchain.
tokenization agentstechnical
Tokenization agents are intermediaries that convert real-world assets—like shares, bonds, real estate, or art—into digital tokens that can be traded on a blockchain. They handle tasks such as verifying ownership, creating the digital token, keeping records, and ensuring legal and regulatory rules are followed, much like a combination of a registrar, custodian, and compliance officer. Investors care because these agents determine how securely and legally a token represents an underlying asset, affecting liquidity, custody risk, and enforceable ownership rights.
SEC-registered transfer agentregulatory
An SEC-registered transfer agent is a firm authorized to keep the official records of who owns a company’s shares and to update ownership when shares change hands, similar to a bank keeping account ledgers. They also handle dividend and stock distribution, replace lost certificates, and help administer shareholder voting and regulatory reporting. For investors, a reliable transfer agent reduces the risk of mistakes or delays in receiving payments, exercising voting rights, or proving ownership.
ETFfinancial
An ETF, or exchange-traded fund, is like a basket of different investments such as stocks or bonds that you can buy or sell easily on the stock market, just like a regular share. It allows people to invest in many companies at once, making it a simple way to grow savings without picking individual stocks.
Collaboration focuses on digital transfer agent infrastructure and broker-dealer participation to support issuer-sponsored tokenized securities on NYSE’s Digital Trading Platform
NEW YORK & MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), part of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE), one of the world’s leading providers of financial market technology and data powering global capital markets, and Securitize, the world’s leader in tokenizing real-world assets, today announced a collaboration to support the development of tokenized securities markets, with Securitize named as the first digital transfer agent eligible to mint blockchain-native securities for corporate or ETF issuers on the upcoming NYSE-affiliated tokenized securities platform (the Digital Trading Platform).
As part of the collaboration formalized in their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), NYSE plans to partner with Securitize as a premier design partner in the development of a digital transfer agent program intended to support on-chain settlement of tokenized security transactions.
The companies plan to collaborate on the development of standards for digital transfer agents and tokenization agents participating in the digital ecosystem, with a focus on establishing regulatory, operational, and technology requirements for institutional-grade tokenized securities infrastructure.
“The NYSE continues to lead the industry in responsible innovation,” said Lynn Martin, President, NYSE Group. “As we explore how tokenization can enhance capital markets, it is critical that new infrastructure is developed in a way that preserves the trust, transparency, and protections investors expect. Securitize brings deep experience in digital asset infrastructure and transfer agency, making them a strong partner in helping design this next generation of market structure.”
This initiative will draw on Securitize’s experience as a leading tokenization platform and SEC-registered transfer agent, helping define the role of transfer agent infrastructure in maintaining official records of ownership, supporting corporate actions, and ensuring tokenized securities meet the standards of traditional markets. Subject to applicable requirements, this work is expected to support Securitize’s role as an approved digital transfer agent for the platform.
“Securitize has spent years building the regulated infrastructure needed to bring real-world assets on-chain,” said Carlos Domingo, Co-Founder and CEO, Securitize. “We are proud to support NYSE in helping design the foundational transfer agent infrastructure for tokenized securities markets. This is about building tokenization in a way that works within real market structure, with the protections, controls, and operational integrity required for public securities.”
As part of the broader collaboration, Securitize Markets is expected to become one of the broker-dealer participants on the upcoming Digital Trading Platform, supporting the development of market structure for issuer-sponsored tokenized securities.
About Intercontinental Exchange
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds and operates digital networks that connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes helping our customers access mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and efficiency. ICE’s futures, equity, and options exchanges – including the New York Stock Exchange – and clearing houses help people invest, raise capital and manage risk. We offer some of the world’s largest markets to trade and clear energy and environmental products. Our fixed income, data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers streamline processes and capitalize on opportunities. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming U.S. housing finance, from initial consumer engagement through loan production, closing, registration and the long-term servicing relationship. Together, ICE transforms, streamlines and automates industries to connect our customers to opportunity.
Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading “Key Information Documents (KIDS).”
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 – Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC on February 5, 2026.
About Securitize
Securitize, the world’s leader in tokenizing real-world assets with $4B+ AUM (as of November 2025), is bringing the world onchain through tokenized funds in partnership with top-tier asset managers, such as Apollo, BlackRock, BNY, Hamilton Lane, KKR, VanEck and others. In the U.S., Securitize operates as a SEC-registered broker dealer, SEC-registered transfer agent, fund administrator, and operator of a SEC-regulated Alternative Trading System (ATS). In Europe, Securitize is fully authorized as an Investment Firm and a Trading & Settlement System (TSS) under the EU DLT Pilot Regime, making it the only company licensed to operate regulated digital-securities infrastructure across both the U.S. and EU. Securitize has also been recognized as a 2026 Forbes Top 50 Fintech company.