A coalition led by Bullish, Equiniti, Alpaca, Apex Fintech Solutions, and DriveWealth has formed the Issuer Sponsored Token Coalition. The group aims to develop issuer-sponsored tokenized shares that preserve shareholder rights and strengthen links between blockchain markets and traditional equities.
The coalition will focus on creating standards, infrastructure, and operating frameworks for tokenized securities tied directly to companies’ official shareholder registers. This approach addresses a key issue: some products marketed as tokenized equities may not grant investors the same rights as traditional shares.
Coalition Targets Shareholder Rights in Tokenized Stocks
Under the proposed issuer-sponsored model, tokenized securities would connect directly with an issuer’s authoritative shareholder register. This structure could preserve voting rights, dividends, and corporate-action entitlements. Investors holding qualifying tokenized securities would maintain the ownership protections associated with ordinary public shares, while blockchain technology provides new infrastructure without separating shareholders from issuers.
DriveWealth CEO Naureen Hassan noted that much of what markets describe as tokenized equity does not represent direct equity ownership. The coalition intends to address that gap. An issuer-sponsored model can retain voting rights and corporate-action entitlements as market infrastructure moves onchain.
SEC Framework Shapes Emerging Onchain Equity Market
The coalition’s launch follows the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s September 17 Innovation Exemption, which permits limited onchain trading of U.S.-listed equities. The SEC framework requires venues to verify that tokenized stocks provide holders with the same rights and privileges as their traditional equivalents. This requirement places shareholder treatment at the center of onchain equity development. The relief will remain available for five years while the SEC seeks public comments on how the framework should evolve.
Bullish CEO Tom Farley emphasized that public companies should remain central to relationships with their shareholders. He said market participants need to establish the right architecture as tokenization develops, describing tokenization as a way to turn static assets into more active and transparent digital shares while preserving existing market protections.
Market Infrastructure Firms Focus on Interoperability
Alpaca will contribute infrastructure to connect traditional securities markets with onchain systems, building on its Instant Tokenization Network. Arush Sehgal, Alpaca’s Head of Digital Assets, said tokenization creates new ways to connect issuers and investors, but shareholder protections must remain intact.
Apex Fintech Solutions will contribute experience spanning issuers, broker-dealers, and investors. Global Head of Digital Markets Travis McGhee said connective infrastructure will determine whether tokenized securities can scale, and that standards must preserve existing relationships and investor protections.
Equiniti and Bullish will work with other participants on the wider standards and frameworks needed for issuer-sponsored securities. The coalition plans to address technical standards, operating structures, and market connections as tokenized public securities develop.
Final Thoughts
The Issuer Sponsored Token Coalition aims to connect tokenized stocks directly with company shareholder registers while preserving voting, dividend, and corporate-action rights. Its members will develop standards and infrastructure as the SEC’s five-year framework opens limited onchain trading for U.S.-listed equities.



