TLDR

Forward Industries plans to tokenize $1.65B of its stock on the Solana blockchain.
Superstate’s Opening Bell platform will enable 24/7 trading and tokenized equity.
The tokenized FORD shares will be usable as collateral in DeFi lending protocols.
Forward Industries aims to integrate traditional equity with decentralized finance infrastructure.

Forward Industries has unveiled plans to tokenize $1.65 billion of its stock, making it one of the first public companies to integrate equity directly onto a blockchain. Through a collaboration with Superstate’s Opening Bell platform, Forward will issue tokenized FORD shares, which will be tradable 24/7 and instantly settled. This move marks a step toward bridging traditional finance with decentralized technologies on the Solana blockchain.

The initiative follows a large $1.65 billion private placement that Forward closed in September, led by prominent investors such as Galaxy Digital, Jump Crypto, and Multicoin Capital. This funding will also be used for further Solana acquisitions and expanding the company’s blockchain presence.

Tokenization and Solana Integration

Under this partnership, Forward Industries will allow its shareholders to convert common stock into tokenized FORD shares, utilizing Superstate’s regulated on-chain issuance platform.

The tokenized shares will be available for continuous trading, offering more liquidity and faster settlement compared to traditional equity.

The decision to use Solana as the blockchain infrastructure highlights the growing importance of the network in corporate treasury management. Forward’s alignment with Solana-based lending platforms like Drift, Kamino, and Jupiter Lend also expands the utility of tokenized equity by enabling the shares to be used as collateral within these decentralized finance (DeFi) systems.

Superstate’s Role in Public Equity Tokenization

Superstate, the financial technology firm behind the Opening Bell platform, is crucial to Forward’s plans to tokenize public equities. The platform, launched in May 2025, allows companies to issue tokenized equity in a regulated manner.

Forward’s move comes shortly after Galaxy Digital became the first U.S. Nasdaq-listed company to issue shares on the Solana blockchain through Superstate.

“By tokenizing our equity directly on Solana, we continue to advance our vision of becoming an on-chain-first company,” said Kyle Samani, Chairman of Forward Industries. This partnership exemplifies how traditional companies are increasingly exploring blockchain technology to optimize their operations.

DeFi Integration and Expanding Use Cases

In addition to providing new trading options, Forward’s tokenized shares will be integrated into decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. Forward intends to make its tokenized FORD shares eligible as collateral in lending protocols, further demonstrating the integration of traditional equity with blockchain technology.

Through collaborations with DeFi protocols, Forward aims to unlock new avenues for liquidity and capital efficiency. These innovations could lead to further adoption of tokenized equities in both the DeFi ecosystem and traditional markets.

This development is part of a broader trend where institutions are turning to Solana as a digital asset treasury. Companies like Helius Medical Technologies and Pantera Capital have made substantial investments in Solana, signaling its growing role in institutional and corporate finance.

The post Forward Industries Announces $1.65B Stock Tokenization on Solana appeared first on CoinCentral.

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Filed under: News - @ September 22, 2025 9:23 pm