The number of tokenized stocks tracked by CoinGecko grew by 3,314% between 2024 and 2026, a leap that underscores a broader boom in real‑world asset tokenization. The data, drawn from the crypto data aggregator’s listings, shows the segment expanding from a handful of offerings to hundreds over the two‑year period. Market participants point to the surge as evidence that traditional assets are moving onto blockchain rails faster than many anticipated.
The Numbers Behind the Surge
CoinGecko’s listings for tokenized stocks — digital tokens that represent shares in companies like Tesla, Apple, or S&P 500 ETFs — climbed from roughly 20 in early 2024 to more than 680 by late 2026. That’s a 33‑fold increase. The growth was not linear: most of the jump came in 2025, after several major trading platforms began offering tokenized equities. By mid‑2026, the category had become one of CoinGecko’s fastest‑growing sections for real‑world assets.
The exact dollar volume traded on those listings isn’t public, but the number of unique tokens alone signals a shift. Investors now have access to tokenized versions of stocks that once required a traditional brokerage account. The tokens are typically backed 1:1 by the underlying shares held in custody, though the specific mechanism varies by issuer.
Why the Growth Matters
The 3,314% figure is more than a curiosity. It reflects a broader trend: the tokenization of real‑world assets — stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities — has moved from proof‑of‑concept to production. In 2024, most tokenized assets were niche products on smaller blockchains. By 2026, they were listed on major exchanges and supported by institutional custodians.
Tokenized stocks offer several advantages over traditional equities. They trade 24/7, settle instantly on blockchain, and can be bought in fractional shares without the friction of a conventional broker. For investors in countries with restricted access to US stock markets, tokenized stocks provide a workaround. That accessibility likely fueled the listing explosion.
Still, the space remains nascent. Regulatory frameworks for tokenized securities vary wildly by jurisdiction. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has not issued formal guidance for tokenized stocks, leaving issuers to operate under existing securities laws. In Europe, the EU’s pilot regime for distributed ledger technology allows limited experimentation, but the rules are still being written.
What’s Driving the Boom
The rise of tokenized stocks mirrors the broader maturation of blockchain infrastructure. Ethereum layer‑2 networks now handle thousands of transactions per second at a fraction of a cent, making it economically viable to issue and trade tokenized shares. Meanwhile, regulated platforms like Archax, INX, and tZERO have provided compliant marketplaces.
CoinGecko’s data capture only a fraction of the total market. Many tokenized stocks are traded over‑the‑counter or on private platforms that don’t report to the aggregator. Even so, the listed count is a reliable proxy for growth. The company that operates CoinGecko declined to comment on the specific trend, but the numbers speak for themselves.
One unresolved question is whether the pace can be sustained. The 3,314% jump came off a very low base — going from 20 to 680 is dramatic, but the next leg will require deeper liquidity and more mainstream adoption. If regulators in the US or EU impose stricter capital requirements or custody rules, the growth could stall. For now, the signal is clear: tokenized stocks are no longer a niche experiment. They are a fast‑growing corner of finance that traditional exchanges and brokerages can no longer ignore.
