Ethereum Layer 2 network Mantle has launched tokenized equity trading, introducing 10 tracker certificates for top US stocks like TSLAx and NVDAx through a partnership with Bybit and xStocks.
"Real-world assets have long needed a distribution layer with the reach and rails that institutional adoption demands," said Emily Bao, Key Advisor at Mantle and Spot Executive at Bybit. "Mantle was always the home for RWAs, not just to house them, but to distribute them at scale."
The new offerings, called xStocks, are fully collateralized, compliant under the Swiss DLT Act, and track major equities including Apple (AAPLx), Google (GOOGLx), and the SPYx ETF tracker. Trading occurs on Fluxion, Mantle’s native decentralized exchange, which uses a hybrid model to minimize slippage. The integration makes Mantle one of the first L2s with direct deposit and withdrawal support for these assets, exclusively through the Bybit exchange.
The integration is the first phase of a plan to deepen on-chain liquidity for Real-World Assets (RWAs), a sector gaining significant traction. By bringing traditional financial assets onto its blockchain, Mantle aims to increase demand for its blockspace and native $MNT token, positioning itself against other L2s also exploring the high-growth RWA space. Future phases include loyalty programs and expanded trading features.
The move by Mantle, which holds over $4 billion in community-owned assets, directly competes with other blockchain ecosystems like Solana and other Ethereum L2s that are also vying for dominance in the tokenization of real-world assets. The partnership with BackedFi, the issuer of the xStocks, and market maker Flowdesk provides the necessary infrastructure for liquidity and compliance. This collaboration highlights a growing trend of connecting centralized exchange infrastructure with decentralized finance (DeFi) capabilities to create more open and accessible global markets. The success of this initiative could provide a blueprint for other networks, potentially increasing competition and innovation across the on-chain finance landscape.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
