Trading Platform eToro Could Build Its Own Blockchain to Support Its Monthly “Millions of Transactions”

eToro Explores Building Its Own Blockchain As Tokenised Stocks Go Live

Israel-based trading platform eToro is evaluating the launch of a dedicated blockchain to support its growing ambitions in digital assets, according to CEO Yoni Assia.

Speaking to Fortune, Assia revealed that the online brokerage is in talks with multiple layer-1 and layer-2 blockchain ecosystems, considering the creation of a side chain specifically for eToro’s operations.

“We’re now evaluating a couple of potential partnerships with both layer 1s and layer 2. So, we might launch basically a side chain of eToro.”

He explained that current blockchain infrastructure is not yet equipped to handle the “millions of transactions” the platform processes each month.

A custom-built chain, he argued, would be necessary to power the entire eToro ecosystem if it were to fully shift onto blockchain rails.

From Stocks To Tokens As Ethereum Becomes eToro’s Starting Point

While exploring its own blockchain, eToro is simultaneously launching tokenised US stocks on the Ethereum network.

The company made the announcement during a webinar on 29 July 2025, saying it would begin by offering 100 popular stocks and ETFs as ERC-20 tokens.

Each token is backed 1:1 by actual shares held in eToro’s custody.

Traders will be able to move between tokenised and traditional stock positions on the platform, with round-the-clock trading available five days a week.

The service is initially being rolled out in Europe on a wait-list basis.

Assia, a long-time advocate for tokenisation, said during the webinar:

“Our goal is to tokenize every asset on eToro – starting with stocks – enabling our users to move tokenized assets onto the blockchain and from there integrate them into the broader DeFi ecosystem.”

Why Blockchain-Based Stocks Are Gaining Traction

Tokenised assets offer benefits traditional markets can’t, including extended trading hours and lower friction for global access.

Beyond the 24/5 trading, these digital tokens can interact with decentralised finance tools, potentially allowing investors to use tokenised shares as collateral for crypto loans or smart contract-based trades.

Assia’s interest in this space goes back over a decade.

He co-authored the influential “Colored Coins” whitepaper, one of the earliest frameworks for representing real-world assets on blockchain networks.

A Growing Trend Among Competitors

eToro’s strategy mirrors recent moves by Robinhood, which began offering tokenised stocks in the EU in June using Ethereum’s Arbitrum layer-2 network.

Robinhood also announced plans to build its own blockchain to support digital asset trading.

Kraken, Bybit, Gemini, and others have jumped in as well.

Kraken now offers tokenised shares of major firms like Apple and Nvidia through its partnership with Backed Finance.

Gemini launched MicroStrategy tokens via Dinari.

These services are being built across Ethereum, Solana, and other chains.

Research by Ripple and Boston Consulting Group estimates that tokenised asset markets could reach $18.9 trillion by 2033—up from $600 billion in 2025.

Regulatory Shifts Clear The Way For Tokenisation

Two significant regulatory shifts have helped catalyse the current wave.

In Europe, MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) took full effect on 30 December 2024, offering legal clarity for tokenisation projects across the EU.

In the United States, the GENIUS Act became law in July 2025, after President Donald Trump signed it following Congressional approval in June.

Although its primary focus is on stablecoins, the law signals a broader openness to blockchain-based financial innovation.

Assia said,

“New regulations, such as MiCA in Europe and the passing of the Genius Act in the US, makes the tokenization of real world assets a new opportunity to create digital assets that are legally backed and regulated.”

Backed By Experience, eToro Plans Bigger Token Moves

eToro is not new to blockchain innovation.

In 2019, it acquired Danish blockchain startup Firmo and launched tokenised gold (GOLDX) and silver (SLVX).

Through its subsidiary eToroX, the company has also rolled out stablecoins such as USDEX and EURX.

Its early entry into regulated tokenisation earned eToroX a licence from Gibraltar’s Financial Services Commission in 2018.

That experience could give eToro a smoother path than newcomers.

Its next steps—whether launching a full blockchain or expanding its tokenised stock offerings to include private companies—are already being considered.

Assia noted,

“That’s definitely on the radar. I think we’ll see that in the near future.”

A Future Without Trading Hours?

The lines between traditional markets and blockchain finance are fading fast.

If platforms like eToro can merge the scale of stock trading with the open, 24/7 nature of blockchain, the very structure of global finance could start to look very different.

Whether tokenised stocks become a novelty or a core part of portfolios worldwide will likely depend less on hype and more on speed, utility, and the next wave of regulation.