Cryptocurrency exchange Backpack has introduced a service enabling 24-hour, real-time trading of U.S. equities, allowing global investors to buy and hold actual shares rather than synthetic derivatives. The platform, launched this week, initially supports SpaceX (SPCX), Micron (MU), and SanDisk (SNDK), with plans to expand the roster in coming months.
Backpack’s offering leverages liquidity from traditional stock exchanges to provide instant settlement and continuous price discovery outside standard market hours. Users can fund accounts with both fiat currencies and stablecoins, creating a bridge between traditional finance and the crypto ecosystem. The exchange emphasizes that clients receive real equity ownership, not tokenized or derivative-based exposure, which reduces counterparty risk and regulatory ambiguity.
The move addresses limited access for international traders who often face restricted U.S. equity markets or must rely on complex derivative products. Backpack CEO Armani Ferrante stated that the launch reflects changing financial infrastructure where capital markets operate beyond traditional trading hours, enabling investors to react to market-moving events without waiting for Wall Street’s opening bell.
This initiative follows Backpack’s earlier introduction of tokenized equities in June, adding a layer of blockchain-based representation and potential DeFi integration. The exchange serves users in over 150 countries and continues blending digital assets with traditional investments. However, long-term success will depend on sustained trading activity, liquidity depth, regulatory developments, and user adoption outside regular exchange hours.
