Ondo Finance to Buy SEC-Regulated Broker Oasis Pro for U.S. Tokenized Stock Push
Ondo Finance, a prominent tokenization platform, has announced its acquisition of Oasis Pro, a regulated brokerage platform, marking a significant step towards the widespread adoption of tokenized stocks. The undisclosed acquisition grants Ondo a suite of crucial U.S. securities licenses, including broker-dealer, Alternative Trading System (ATS), and transfer agent licenses, all regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This strategic move underscores the growing trend among tokenization firms to secure regulatory compliance for entry into the lucrative U.S. market, driven by the burgeoning interest in blockchain-based securities.
Tokenization, the process of representing traditional financial instruments like stocks, bonds, and funds on a blockchain, offers several key advantages. These include faster and 24/7 settlements, increased accessibility for investors, and programmable transactions. Industry projections from reputable sources such as Ripple, BCG, McKinsey, and Standard Chartered suggest that the market for tokenized assets could reach trillions of dollars within the next decade. This acquisition by Ondo follows similar moves by other players in the space, including Archax’s acquisition of Globacap and Prometheum’s expansion into broker-dealer services and transfer agent capabilities.
The combined strengths of Ondo’s institutional-grade infrastructure and Oasis Pro’s brokerage platform and licenses provide a robust foundation for a regulated tokenized securities ecosystem. Pat LaVecchia, CEO of Oasis Pro, will join Ondo upon completion of the acquisition, bringing valuable expertise and experience to the team. Oasis Pro, established in 2019, holds a unique position as one of the first U.S. firms authorized to settle digital securities using both fiat currency and stablecoins such as USDC and DAI. Their contributions to shaping regulatory policy through FINRA’s Crypto Working Group further enhance the strategic value of this acquisition.
Ondo, currently managing over $1.4 billion in tokenized assets, plans to leverage this acquisition to launch tokenized stocks for non-U.S. investors via its Global Markets platform in the coming months. This follows the recent introduction of similar offerings by major exchanges including Robinhood, Gemini, Kraken, and Bybit. The deal is currently awaiting regulatory approval. The acquisition is further supported by Ondo’s and Pantera Capital’s commitment to invest $250 million in real-world asset projects, demonstrating a strong commitment to the growth of the tokenized securities market.
