Key Points
- Swiss equity token specialist Aktionariat AG and securities firm Taurus SA have formed a partnership to combine their expertise in tokenization and institutional-grade trading technology.
- The collaboration aims to increase liquidity and accessibility for tokenized small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing access to Taurus Digital eXchange’s (TDX) network of banks, professional investors, and retail clients.
Partnership Details and Goals
Swiss fintech companies Aktionariat AG and Taurus SA have announced a strategic partnership to enhance the tokenization and trading of securities. This collaboration, set to launch in November, brings together Aktionariat’s expertise in tokenizing Swiss companies’ equity with Taurus’ institutional-grade trading technology.
Under the agreement, Taurus will offer services for select Ethereum-based tokenized shares issued by Aktionariat. In return, Aktionariat will provide its client companies with a pathway to list on the Taurus Digital eXchange (TDX), an organized trading facility.
The primary goal of this partnership is to increase liquidity and unlock value for tokenized SMEs and their shareholders. By combining Aktionariat’s tokenization tools with TDX’s trading platform, the companies aim to create a more robust ecosystem for issuers and investors in the private capital market.
Impact on the Swiss Capital Market
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the Swiss capital market, particularly for SMEs looking to leverage blockchain technology for financing. Aktionariat, which currently serves over 30,000 registered shareholders and 70 issuers, offers a suite of products including a portfolio app for investors, an automated shareholder registry for issuers, and web-based tools to manage investor relations.
Murat Ögat, CEO of Aktionariat, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “Having a smooth path to access this market will provide value to our clients and also strengthen the usefulness of our offering for their investors.”
Pioneering Companies and Future Prospects
Among the first companies expected to benefit from this partnership is RealUnit Schweiz AG, an investment firm focused on real assets. RealUnit tokenized its shares with Aktionariat in April 2022, allowing investors to choose between classic bearer shares and registered shares as tokens – a first in the Swiss capital market.
Dani Stüssi, CEO of RealUnit Schweiz AG, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “Being admitted to trade on TDX is a natural next step in our journey to increase accessibility and liquidity for our investors.”
The collaboration between Taurus and Aktionariat is expected to pave the way for more tokenized SMEs to be admitted for trading on TDX in 2025, as the ecosystem of tokenized securities continues to expand.
Broader Vision for Digital Assets
This partnership aligns with Taurus’ broader vision of digitizing private markets and making private equity more accessible to investors. The company believes that buying a private security should become as straightforward as purchasing a book online, whether it’s equity, debt, or other assets such as funds and real estate.
Victor Busson, CMO at Taurus, highlighted the potential of this collaboration, stating, “This partnership demonstrates how tokenization can increase liquidity and accessibility for the private capital market.”
As the project moves forward, it is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital asset management and trading in Switzerland and beyond.
