NEAR Protocol [NEAR] is moving beyond crypto-native markets by using Ondo Finance [ONDO] tokenization infrastructure to bring U.S. stocks and ETFs into its on-chain economy.
With this integration, eligible users in supported jurisdictions can access tokenized exposure to U.S. equities and ETFs. This includes NVIDIA, Tesla, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Users can fund these purchases through NEAR Intents, its cross-chain transaction system with USD Coin [USDC], Bitcoin [BTC], or one of the over thirty supported blockchain assets
This creates an opportunity for users to acquire tokenized securities. This allows users to access tokenized securities without leaving the NEAR ecosystem. Hence, integrating these securities within their overall financial flows.
This action will provide the NEAR Protocol with access to Ondo Finance’s base of more than $1 billion worth of tokenized assets and over $26 billion in cumulative trading and settlement volume.
Upon growth in adoption, the increased trading activity may allow expansion of the NEAR Protocol’s role in tokenized finance.
NEAR Intents expands cross-chain access
The increased accessibility becomes more practical because of NEAR Intents’ ability to facilitate asset movements on behalf of each transaction. Moreover, Ondo’s integration, powered by NEAR Intents, consolidates liquidity scattered across multiple networks.
NEAR Intents enables users to fund transactions with their current holdings located on more than thirty different blockchain platforms. This is unlike needing to have users bridge their assets or utilize wrapped tokens.
This type of design will be important as tokenized equities are introduced into higher-volume markets, since fragmented liquidity may hinder market participant involvement.
Intents already processed about $137 million in 24 hours and more than $3.4 billion over 30 days, showing the routing layer has meaningful usage. Much of that liquidity came from the supply of Ethereum [ETH], Bitcoin, and TRON [TRX]. NEAR facilitates the clearing process for these assets.
As tokenized assets expand, this could turn NEAR from an access point into a broader settlement hub, provided trading activity grows beyond initial adoption.
Can NEAR capture the tokenization boom?
NEAR’s ability to capitalize on increasing routing activity will depend on its success at creating long-term network demand from it. Notably, NEAR Intents has processed nearly $30 billion in all‑time volume.
This growth comes as tokenization gains momentum throughout traditional capital markets. Meanwhile, CFTC Chairman Michael Selig believes that U.S.-based capital markets need to be prepared for “mass tokenization.”
He believes it will occur due to the growing use of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence. In turn, that backdrop expands the potential market for NEAR’s infrastructure.
Tokenized stocks could drive more trading, settlement, and rebalancing through NEAR Intents. However, low fees mean NEAR needs sustained transaction frequency rather than large fees per trade.
Therefore, its key challenge is turning record routing activity and broader tokenization into lasting network value.
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