South Africa's Luno lists 44 tokenised blue-chip US stocks
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Users can invest directly using rands through the Luno app without transferring funds offshore, having to use a complicated exchange, or waiting for US trading hours.
Luno customers can invest in the largest listed global equities like Apple, Amazon, Google, Intel and the S&P 500 for as little as R20 with a simple buy or sell action.
"Until now, access to global financial markets has been locked behind currency conversions, inconvenient time zones and offshore allowance limitations. Investors now have choices they've never had before," said Christo de Wit, country manager for South Africa at Luno.
"We are providing historical data for informed decision-making, and investors are also safe in the knowledge that tokenised stocks are fully backed by real shares held in regulated custody. All dividends will be reinvested.'
A breakthrough in financial access
Luno is addressing challenges faced by investors in emerging markets, where multiple layers of fees, significant waiting times, and complex processes limit traditional investment options. Luno's tokenised stocks offering removes these barriers while maintaining security and regulatory compliance.
'You can buy Luno's tokenised stocks directly in rand - no need to worry about specific coin pairings. You also don't need to convert foreign currency or pay foreign exchange fees. Instead of paying almost R4,000 for an Apple share, tokenised fractional shares allow you to buy a portion to suit your pocket. It makes global investing more affordable for all South Africans,' says de Wit.
Instant settlement is also available, with no lock-in periods, meaning assets remain liquid.
How tokenised stocks work
The tokenised assets are fully backed by real shares held in regulated custody through Luno's integration with global partners, including Kraken's xStocks and Backed Finance, which offers trusted infrastructure.
Tokenised stocks represent digital versions of traditional shares, allowing investors to buy and sell portions of companies through blockchain technology.
Currently available in South Africa, with plans to expand to Nigeria and other African markets.
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