Nasdaq-listed Forward Industries is preparing to tokenize its FORD stock on Solana, aiming to integrate traditional equity with decentralized finance (DeFi).
Forward Industries Brings Equity Onchain
Forward Industries, which already holds the largest corporate Solana treasury, announced plans to tokenize its shares through a partnership with fintech firm Superstate. The tokenized stock would be issued on Superstate’s Opening Bell platform, a regulated system designed for onchain equity issuance.
The initiative would allow investors to bridge common FORD stock between brokerage accounts and Solana, potentially enabling 24/7 trading, instant settlement, and access to new pools of global liquidity.
Although Forward Industries has not confirmed whether regulators have signed off on the plan, the announcement signals a growing push to connect Wall Street equities with blockchain-based markets.
Stock as DeFi Collateral
Beyond tokenization, Forward intends to make FORD shares usable as collateral within Solana’s DeFi ecosystem. The company said it is working with protocols including Drift, Kamino, and Jupiter Lend to accept tokenized equity for onchain lending.
“This move reinforces our conviction that Solana will sit at the core of capital markets,” said Kyle Samani, chairman of Forward’s board. “It gives shareholders a direct way to participate in the tokenized economy of the future.”
By bridging stock and DeFi, the plan could expand lending opportunities and provide investors with new ways to unlock liquidity.
Deepening Solana Strategy
The announcement builds on Forward’s $1.65 billion Solana-focused private investment in public equity (PIPE), closed earlier this month with support from Galaxy Digital, Jump Crypto, and Multicoin Capital. Proceeds were used to create the largest corporate Solana treasury.
Forward has also filed for an at-the-market equity offering program of up to $4 billion, giving the firm flexibility to further support its blockchain strategy.
With 17.11 million SOL tokens worth roughly $4 billion, Forward’s reserve represents nearly 3% of Solana’s circulating supply, underscoring its deep bet on the network’s role in future capital markets.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.