Securitize, a firm specializing in tokenizing real-world financial assets, is going public through a merger with Cantor Equity Partners II, Inc., a special-purpose acquisition company backed by Cantor Fitzgerald. The deal values Securitize at a pre-money valuation of $1.25 billion. Once complete, the combined company will be listed on Nasdaq.
The merger was announced on Tuesday. Securitize co-founder and CEO Carlos Domingo said the company was created “to democratize capital markets by making them more accessible, transparent, and efficient through tokenization.” He added that the goal now is to bring financial systems in line with the pace of internet technology.
Cantor Fitzgerald Sponsors the SPAC Merger
Cantor Equity Partners II is backed by Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services firm with broad exposure to traditional markets. Howard Lutnick, Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and head of the SPAC, said blockchain holds “massive potential to transform finance.”
This transaction follows earlier reports that Securitize was in talks with Cantor Fitzgerald about a public listing. The move gives Securitize a new path into public markets while continuing its work in asset tokenization.
Securitize focuses on the digital representation of traditional assets such as real estate, private credit, and short-term debt instruments. By turning ownership or income rights into blockchain-based tokens, these assets can be traded, used as collateral, or integrated into digital financial systems.
The company is known for its role in tokenizing BlackRock’s BUIDL fund. It has also received investment from BlackRock, ARK Invest, and Morgan Stanley Investment Management. These partnerships have positioned Securitize as a key player in the real-world asset (RWA) segment of the blockchain space.
On-Chain Fund Access Through Ripple Integration
As we reported, Securitize recently teamed up with Ripple to offer a smart contract that allows investors to convert tokenized fund shares into Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD. The service applies to BlackRock’s BUIDL fund and VanEck’s VBILL fund, giving holders the ability to redeem their shares directly on-chain.
This setup removes the need for a traditional off-ramp and provides faster settlement options. The process is designed to meet the needs of institutional clients looking for more flexibility in how they manage tokenized assets.
Outlook for Tokenized Assets in Public Markets
Interest in tokenized finance continues to grow, especially as regulatory clarity improves. In recent weeks, some blockchain firms have urged US regulators to take a closer look at proposals related to tokenized securities. Others are preparing for broader adoption.
Rob Hadick, general partner at venture firm Dragonfly, commented that tokenized equities could benefit traditional markets with round-the-clock trading. However, he noted that many institutions may choose to operate in closed systems rather than public chains, stating,
“I wouldn’t expect institutions to want to be directly on these general-purpose chains.”
With its upcoming public listing, Securitize is positioning itself to serve both traditional finance and blockchain-based markets as demand for regulated, tokenized products grows.
