xStocks are digital tokens that track the price of real stocks on the US stock market, backed 1:1 by the underlying share. In Chile, Skipo was the first platform in Latin America to offer tokenized stocks, letting you invest in companies like Apple, Tesla, NVIDIA or Alphabet directly in pesos, with no commissions and available 24/7.
What will we cover in this article?
In this guide we explain what xStocks are, how the tokenization mechanism behind them works, why they are part of a global trend that is transforming financial markets, and how to access them from Chile. We also include a comparison table of xStocks, traditional stocks and CFDs, plus the most frequently asked questions about security, backing and taxes.
What are xStocks?
xStocks are digital representations of US stocks and ETFs, issued as tokens on a blockchain. Each xStock tracks the price of the real stock and is backed 1:1 by the underlying asset, held in custody by a regulated entity. For every token in circulation, there is a real share held in a verifiable custody account.
If you buy an Apple token (AAPLx), there is an Apple share in custody backing that token. Dividends are automatically reinvested into the token's value, increasing your balance without you having to do anything.
An xStock does not make you a shareholder in the traditional legal sense: it grants no voting rights or participation in shareholder meetings. What it offers is economic exposure to the stock's price, with the advantages that blockchain infrastructure enables: 24/7 or 24/5 availability depending on the xStock, fractional ownership and immediate settlement.
In short: xStocks are the most direct and accessible way to get exposure to the US stock market from an app, without needing a traditional brokerage.
How do xStocks work?
The mechanism behind xStocks is called tokenization. A regulated issuer buys the real stock on the traditional market through a regulated broker. That share is held in a segregated custody account and, in exchange, a digital token is issued on a blockchain that reflects its price.
The backing infrastructure works in three layers:
- Custody of the underlying asset: xStocks are tokens issued by a regulated third party, backed 1:1 by the underlying asset (stock or ETF). The issuer holds the assets in custody through a regulated broker, in accounts segregated from the issuer's own assets.
- On-chain verification: the 1:1 backing of each xStock can be verified on-chain through a Proof of Reserve mechanism, which lets anyone check in real time that the corresponding reserves exist.
- Issuer regulation: the xStocks issuer operates under regulatory supervision in its home jurisdiction.
When you buy an xStock on Skipo, settlement is instant — there is no T+1 or T+2. And when you sell, the pesos are available in your account in seconds.
In short: every xStock is backed by a real share, held in custody by a regulated broker and verifiable on the blockchain.
The global RWA movement: real-world assets come to blockchain
xStocks are part of a much bigger trend: the tokenization of real-world assets (known as RWA). This movement consists of bringing traditional financial assets — bonds, stocks, real estate, commodities — onto blockchain infrastructure to make them more accessible and efficient.
The numbers speak for themselves. As of March 2026, the market for on-chain tokenized assets surpassed US$26 billion (excluding stablecoins), according to RWA.xyz data — growth of more than 300% year over year. Tokenized stocks in particular reached a market capitalization of close to US$963 million as of January 2026, up 2,900% from the previous year, according to a report published by CoinDesk.
What sets this phase apart is institutional participation. BlackRock launched its tokenized BUIDL fund (more than US$2 billion in assets). The NYSE announced it is developing a tokenized securities platform with 24/7 trading. Nasdaq obtained SEC approval to trade tokenized securities alongside traditional instruments. And McKinsey projections estimate that this market could reach US$2 trillion by 2030.
Our vision
At Skipo, we believe stock tokenization is not a technological experiment: it is the natural evolution of how financial assets are distributed. What used to require an account with an international broker, converting to dollars and limited trading hours is now solved with a 1:1-backed token, instant settlement and access from anywhere. For investors in Chile, the barrier between the local market and Wall Street no longer exists.
In short: real-world asset tokenization is no longer a pilot. It is a trend with top-tier institutional backing, and tokenized stocks are one of its most concrete expressions.
xStocks in Chile: the Skipo case
In March 2026, Skipo became the first platform in Chile and Latin America to offer tokenized stocks through its integration with xStocks. This allows anyone in Chile to invest in US companies directly from the app, in pesos and without traditional intermediaries.
The available assets include tokenized stocks of Apple, Tesla, NVIDIA, Alphabet (Google), MicroStrategy, Robinhood, Circle and ETFs such as the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq-100. What sets Skipo apart from other alternatives?
- 24/7 or 24/5 availability: while traditional brokers operate on Wall Street hours (Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET), on Skipo you can buy and sell tokenized stocks at any hour: some, like Apple, NVIDIA, Tesla or the S&P 500, every day, and the rest Monday to Friday.
- No commissions: Skipo charges no commission for buying, selling or holding tokenized stocks.
- Buy directly in pesos: no conversion to dollars, no exchange-rate spreads.
- Fractional investing: from CLP 1,000, without needing to buy a whole share.
- Instant settlement: when you sell, your pesos are available immediately. No T+1, no waiting.
Skipo is registered in the Registry of Financial Service Providers of the CMF (Chile's Financial Market Commission), and its authorization to operate is in process under the Fintech Law (Law No. 21.521); it also holds ISO 27001 certification in information security.
A typical case: an investor in Chile wants exposure to the leading US tech companies without opening an account with an international broker. With Skipo, they can build a diversified portfolio with Apple, NVIDIA and the S&P 500 from their phone, with small amounts, and complement it with cryptocurrencies or tokenized gold from the same app.
In short: Skipo is the best platform to invest in tokenized stocks in Chile: 24/7 or 24/5 depending on the xStock, no commissions, in pesos and from CLP 1,000.
xStocks vs traditional stocks vs CFDs: comparison table
| Criterion | xStocks | Traditional stocks | CFDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asset backing | Yes — 1:1 backing by real shares in regulated custody | Yes — direct ownership of the share | No — derivative contract with no underlying asset |
| Buy/sell commission | CLP 0 | 0.35%–0.70% + VAT (IVA) per trade | Variable spread included in the price |
| Overnight fees | No | No | Yes — daily charge on open positions |
| Trading currency | Pesos or crypto | Dollars or pesos | Dollars or euros |
| Trading hours | 24/7 or 24/5 depending on the xStock | Monday to Friday, 9:30–16:00 ET | Monday to Friday, market hours |
| Settlement | Instant | T+1 or T+2 | Varies by broker |
| Fractional purchases | Yes, from CLP 1,000 | Not at most Chilean brokerages | Depends on the broker |
| Voting rights | No | Yes | No |
| Dividends | Automatically reinvested in the token | Paid in cash | Position adjustment (no actual payment) |
Frequently asked questions about xStocks
Is an xStock the same as a traditional stock?
No. An xStock gives you economic exposure to the price of a real stock — if it goes up or down, your investment moves the same way. But it is not a share in the traditional legal sense: it grants no voting rights or direct participation in shareholder meetings. It does reflect dividends, which are automatically reinvested into the token's value.
Who backs the token? What guarantees it's worth what it says?
Each xStock is backed 1:1 by the real share, held in custody through a regulated broker in accounts segregated from the issuer's own assets. The backing can be verified on-chain through a Proof of Reserve mechanism, which lets anyone check in real time that the corresponding reserves exist.
Can I buy fractions of a share?
Yes. On Skipo you can invest from CLP 1,000, buying whatever fraction your amount allows. If one NVIDIA share costs more than US$100, you don't need to buy a whole share to get exposure to its performance.
How are xStocks taxed in Chile?
Because xStocks live on blockchain infrastructure, they generate movements that the SII (Chile's tax authority) may consider within the tax framework applicable to digital assets. Reporting these assets in your income tax return follows the same rules that apply to cryptocurrencies in Chile.
Can I buy xStocks outside US market hours?
Yes. That is one of the key advantages of tokenized stocks on Skipo: hours depend on each xStock: some, like Apple, NVIDIA, Tesla or the S&P 500, trade 24/7, and the rest 24/5, Monday to Friday. You can buy or sell a 24/7 xStock on a Sunday at 3 in the morning if you want. The token's price reflects the last market price and updates when traditional markets open, but your trade is executed immediately.
How long does it really take to buy an xStock on Skipo?
The whole process — from choosing the asset until it appears in your wallet — takes seconds. Settlement is instant: there is no T+1 or T+2 as with traditional brokers. The same applies to selling: you sell your xStocks, the pesos show up in your Skipo account immediately and you can withdraw to your bank in seconds.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Asset prices can go up or down, and all investments carry risk. Before investing, assess your personal financial situation.
