Luno to Launch Tokenised Stocks and ETFs in South Africa from August

AFRICAN STOCKS AND FINANCEJuly 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM UTC

TLDR

Luno, a digital asset platform, will introduce tokenised stocks and ETFs to its South African users starting early August
The move will give retail investors access to over 60 global equities—including Apple, Alphabet, and the S&P 500—for as little as R20 ($1.13)
Tokenised stocks are blockchain-based representations of real shares, backed 1:1 by the underlying asset

Luno, a digital asset platform, will introduce tokenised stocks and ETFs to its South African users starting early August. The move will give retail investors access to over 60 global equities—including Apple, Alphabet, and the S&P 500—for as little as R20 ($1.13).

Tokenised stocks are blockchain-based representations of real shares, backed 1:1 by the underlying asset. Luno says the offering removes barriers like high entry costs, currency conversion, and restricted trading hours.

The company is partnering with infrastructure providers like Kraken’s xStocks and Backed Finance to ensure security, custody, and compliance with global standards.

South Africa is one of Africa’s most active crypto markets, with more than 5 million crypto owners. Luno’s expansion into tokenised traditional assets positions it as a multi-asset platform, entering a space dominated by traditional players like EasyEquities and Satrix.

Luno said users can trade tokenised shares 24/7, allowing fractional ownership through blockchain infrastructure.

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Key Takeaways

Luno’s entry into tokenised equities marks a shift in South Africa’s investment landscape, where access to global stocks has historically been limited by cost, regulation, and infrastructure. The offering lowers entry barriers by enabling fractional investment in large-cap U.S. companies using local currency. This expansion reflects a broader fintech trend: using blockchain to modernise financial access in emerging markets. Tokenised stocks combine the accessibility of crypto platforms with exposure to traditional equity markets, appealing to younger investors familiar with digital assets. The move may, however, trigger tighter regulatory oversight. As digital representations of regulated securities, tokenised stocks sit at the intersection of crypto and capital markets law. South Africa’s FSCA is already working on licensing frameworks for crypto asset providers, and Luno’s new offering could fast-track guidance on digital securities. For now, Luno is betting on retail demand for 24/7 access, low-cost entry, and cross-asset diversification—signaling how tokenisation may redefine investment access across Africa.

Cryptocurrency

Luno

South Africa

Digital Tokens

Stocks