Upstream, part of MERJ Exchange, features stock trading enhanced by blockchain technology
By Vanessa Malone
The financial world is increasingly embracing blockchain-powered trading, with both emerging companies and major institutions exploring tokenization and digital securities. For real-world examples of tokenization in action, check out our last three blogs covering current use cases for real-world assets, securities trading, and stablecoins.
When it comes to stock trading, many traditional stock markets operate on legacy infrastructure with longer settlement times, limited trading hours, and limited access to global investors.
Nasdaq President, Tal Cohen, wrote in a LinkedIn post that the operator has started discussions with regulators and expects to launch 24-hour, five-days-a-week trading in the second half of 2026.¹ Other exchanges are also in discussions as demand for globally interconnected markets continues to grow.
While these discussions and system upgrades are still in progress for traditional markets, the future of trading isn’t just on the horizon — it’s already here.
Upstream, part of MERJ Exchange, is already delivering the next evolution of stock trading with real-time execution, instant settlement, and global access.
How Upstream is Already There
Major players are still experimenting with tokenized assets, but most solutions still rely on traditional intermediaries. Upstream was designed from the start to operate without these inefficiencies, avoiding the need to adapt a legacy system.
Leveraging blockchain technology behind the scenes, Upstream gives investors (non-U.S) access to listed U.S. and international equities, real-world assets, and more, all from a userfriendly trading app. Onboarding is streamlined with simple sign-up, flexible funding options and no account minimums to make it easy for investors of all levels to access opportunities.
Trades are executed transparently and instantly on a decentralized ledger, ensuring real-time settlement without the need for clearinghouses or custodians. This streamlined approach reduces costs, reduces settlement delays, and provides investors with greater control over their assets.
Other Built-in Features
- Expanded trading hours: Trade at your convenience 20 hours a day, 7 days a week with direct access to the market from your phone
- Real-time trading: No T+1 settlement delays, trade executions are real-time and transparently performed on a best bid/offer basis
- Global investor access: International traders can invest in dual-listed stocks without typical barriers
- Fair market design: No short selling, no payment for order flow (PFOF), no hidden fees, or other market manipulation techniques, enforced by smart-contract technology
The future of trading is already here. While major institutions are still testing tokenized markets, Upstream is live today, offering blockchain-powered trading that delivers real-time execution and instant settlement.
Our vision is to become the global trading hub for equities, real-world assets, and more, providing streamlined access to investors worldwide. For companies seeking global exposure and increased liquidity potential, Upstream offers the opportunity to dual list their securities, opening the door to investors outside of their home jurisdiction. Get started or refer an issuer here: https://upstream.exchange/GetListed
For traders, this translates to a more accessible, transparent, and fair trading experience. Upstream removes common hurdles faced on traditional exchanges, ensuring a streamlined process with flexible funding options and no account minimums. Download today at https://upstream.exchange/.
Note: U.S. persons may not deposit, buy, or sell securities on Upstream. Anyone may buy and sell Collectibles on Upstream.
Source
Disclaimers
Securities listed according to exchange rules with recognized standards of disclosure, transparency and governance.
U.S. persons may not deposit, buy, or sell securities on Upstream. Anyone may buy and sell Collectibles on Upstream.
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation is not permitted. Collectibles have no royalties, equity ownership, or dividends. Collectibles are for utility, collection, redemption, or display purposes only. Anyone may buy and sell Collectibles on Upstream. All orders for sale are non-solicited by Upstream and a user’s decision to trade securities must be based on their own investment judgment.
Upstream is a MERJ Exchange market. MERJ Exchange is a licensed Securities Exchange, an affiliate of the World Federation of Exchanges, a National Numbering Agency, and a member of ANNA. MERJ is regulated in the Seychelles by the Financial Services Authority, https://fsaseychelles.sc/, an associate member of the International Association of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). MERJ supports global issuers of traditional and digital securities through the entire asset life cycle from issuance to trading, clearing, settlement, and registry. It operates a fair and transparent marketplace in line with international best practices and principles of operations of financial markets. Upstream does not endorse or recommend any public or private securities bought or sold on its app. Upstream does not offer investment advice or recommendations of any kind. All services offered by Upstream are intended for self-directed clients who make their own investment decisions without aid or assistance from Upstream. All customers are subject to the rules and regulations of their jurisdiction. By accessing the site or app, you agree to be bound by its terms of use and privacy policy. Company and security listings on Upstream are only suitable for investors who are familiar with and willing to accept the high risk associated with speculative investments, often in early and development-stage companies. U.S. persons may not deposit, buy, or sell securities on Upstream. There can be no assurance the valuation of any particular company’s securities is accurate or in agreement with the market or industry comparative valuations. Investors must be able to afford market volatility and afford the loss of their investment. Companies listed on Upstream are subject to significant ongoing corporate obligations including, but not limited to disclosure, filings, and notification requirements, as well as compliance with applicable quantitative and qualitative listing standards.
Collectible products are akin to a digital sticker of an underlying artwork and should not be considered a financial investment; a security token, an e-money token, or a form of digital currency. Collectibles should not, therefore, be purchased by anyone seeking financial gain or with an expectation to profit from the purchase, ownership in the entity, dividends or distributions, sale or resale of a Collectible. By buying a Collectible, you agree that you are not doing so for investment purposes or for the purposes of obtaining a security or an appreciating asset. You understand that the benefit you receive for buying a Collectible is limited to supporting athletes, celebrities and other brands. You also acknowledge that ownership of a Collectible does not carry with it any rights, express or implied, including (without limitation) copyright, trademarks or other intellectual property or proprietary rights in and to the underlying artwork. The copyright to the digital artwork remains with the copyright holder.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements.” Such statements may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential,” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, and cannot be predicted or quantified, and, consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (ii) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (iii) loss of one or more key executives or brand ambassadors; and (iv) changes in legal or regulatory requirements in the markets in which we operate. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.