Chainlink Expands Data Feeds to Include 24/7 US Equities for Tokenized Assets The infrastructure provider Chainlink has launched new data feeds designed to bring traditional market information on-chain around the clock. These feeds offer real-time pricing data for major US equities and exchange-traded funds, specifically to support the growing sector of tokenized real-world assets. This move addresses a critical need for developers building tokenized stock and ETF platforms. For these assets to trade reliably on blockchain networks, they require secure, accurate, and continuously updated price data that reflects traditional market values. Chainlink’s new feeds are built to provide this data 24 hours a day, five days a week, covering the standard market week plus after-hours sessions. The initiative highlights the accelerating convergence of traditional finance and decentralized technology. Multiple entities, including cryptocurrency firms and established financial exchanges, are actively exploring or launching services for tokenized versions of stocks and funds. The goal is to enable trading of these assets beyond the limited hours of conventional stock markets, potentially offering greater accessibility and flexibility. Tokenization involves creating a digital representation of a physical or financial asset on a blockchain. For stocks and ETFs, this means each token is backed by or represents a claim on the underlying security. Proponents argue this can unlock liquidity, reduce settlement times, and open global markets to a wider pool of investors. However, the success of such markets depends heavily on the quality of the data that informs trades. Inaccurate or delayed price feeds can lead to significant problems, including faulty trades and exploited vulnerabilities. Chainlink’s role is to act as a decentralized oracle network, aggregating price data from multiple premium sources and delivering it securely to smart contracts on various blockchains. The newly launched feeds cover a selection of highly traded assets, such as shares of major technology companies and popular ETFs that track indices like the S&P 500. By providing this data continuously, the feeds aim to allow tokenized asset platforms to function smoothly, whether it is during regular New York Stock Exchange hours or in the middle of the night. This development is part of a broader trend of financial infrastructure moving on-chain. The race to offer round-the-clock trading of tokenized traditional assets is heating up, with several projects aiming to capture a share of what many believe could be a multi-trillion dollar market. Reliable data is the foundational layer upon which all these services must be built. For the decentralized finance ecosystem, the availability of trusted equity data expands the palette of products that can be created. It could lead to more sophisticated financial instruments, such as structured products or derivatives that blend crypto and traditional asset exposure, all operating on automated smart contract logic. The launch signifies a step toward a more interconnected financial system where blockchain technology facilitates the exchange of a wider array of assets. As the tokenization of real-world assets gains momentum, the demand for robust and reliable supporting infrastructure like decentralized data oracles is expected to grow in parallel.
