 and decentralized finance (DeFi).){kind=link}
“We started doing that with tokenized treasuries, really enabling access to essentially tokenized money market funds for institutional investors and retail as well.” – 02:43
Ian De Bode, Chief Strategy Officer of Ondo Finance, joins Remy Blaire at the New York Stock Exchange to discuss the launch of Ondo Global Markets. This innovative platform brings over 100 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs on-chain for non-U.S. investors via Ethereum, marking a significant step in the intersection of traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi).
Remy and Ian begin by exploring the implications of Ondo Global Markets, which aims to broaden access to U.S. capital markets for a global audience. Ian likens this initiative to the role of stablecoins in enhancing access to the U.S. dollar, emphasizing that tokenized equities will allow for 24/7 transferability and seamless integration into DeFi applications. This development represents a transformative shift towards a more accessible and efficient financial system.
As they converse on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Ian highlights the historical challenges of global access to financial assets and the limitations of cross-border payments in traditional finance. He explains how tokenization can address these issues, making it easier for investors worldwide to access desirable assets like U.S. stocks and ETFs. Ian also discusses Ondo’s focus on tokenizing treasuries, which will enable both institutional and retail investors to access money market funds more effectively.
Looking to the future, Ian shares Ondo’s ambitious plans to expand its offerings, with expectations to tokenize over 1,000 assets by the end of the year. He mentions ongoing efforts to create additional utility around these assets, including potential integrations for 24/7 margin trading.
The conversation then shifts to the regulatory landscape, with Ian noting the appointment of Peter Curley as the head of global regulatory affairs at Ondo Finance. He addresses the complexities of navigating U.S. regulations, particularly regarding the offering of these products in a permissionless format to U.S. investors. Ian emphasizes the importance of engaging with regulatory bodies to strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring investor protection.