The Fintech Times · 22 Oct, 05:00 · Finance briefing

OKX UAE Launches Tokenised US Stocks with 24/7 Trading on VARA Licence

OKX has launched a platform in the United Arab Emirates enabling the trading of tokenised US stocks around the clock.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

28%average pay gap between certified and uncertified finance staff

2.4xfaster promotion with a professional credential

83%of finance leaders rank upskilling a top-3 priority

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

OKX has launched a platform in the United Arab Emirates enabling the trading of tokenised US stocks around the clock. Operating under a regulatory licence from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, this initiative bridges traditional equity markets with digital asset infrastructure. The service allows investors to access US-listed shares via blockchain technology, offering continuous liquidity outside standard market hours. This development signifies a significant step in the integration of conventional finance with decentralised trading mechanisms, providing a regulated pathway for cross-border investment opportunities through tokenisation.

Employer demand for Finance and Accounting skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This development signals a rapid convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology, creating urgent demand for professionals who understand both domains. You must prioritise regulatory compliance and digital asset infrastructure skills. Roles in legal advisory, risk management, and fintech product development will see increased value. If you work in finance, upskill in tokenisation mechanics and VARA regulations immediately. For tech professionals, focus on blockchain interoperability and security. A smart next step is to pursue certification in compliance frameworks or digital asset management. Monitor regulatory shifts closely, as this model will likely expand globally. Adapt your skillset to bridge the gap between legacy financial systems and emerging distributed ledger technologies to remain competitive in this evolving landscape.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Finance and Accounting, Compliance And Governance, Risk Management Strategies and Cloud Computing — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.