Payward Services, the B2B infrastructure platform behind crypto exchange Kraken, announced that customers of Kraken, Wallet in Telegram and other xStocks Alliance partners can now register a non‑binding indication of interest for Bending Spoons S.p.A.’s Nasdaq IPO. The move expands primary‑market participation to eligible investors in more than 110 countries, offering a tokenized BSPx share that will trade around the clock once listed.
Payward Services Launches Pre‑IPO Access for Bending Spoons
Effective today, the indication‑of‑interest window opens on Kraken and other xStocks Alliance platforms. Participants may indicate the amount they wish to purchase within Bending Spoons’ disclosed price range; funds are reserved but not charged until final allocation is confirmed. Payward Services will aggregate demand across alliance partners, work with an underwriting syndicate, and secure a 1:1‑backed tokenized asset (BSPx) that will be distributed on Nasdaq listing day. Allocation decisions rest with Bending Spoons and its underwriters, and Payward Services does not guarantee any allocation.
Mark Greenberg, Global Head of Payward Services, said, “For decades, the best IPOs were tilted in favor of those with the right address or the right bank. Pre‑IPO Access via xStocks tears that down.” He added that the offering aims to level the playing field for both first‑time and seasoned investors.
Bending Spoons’ Nasdaq Filing and Portfolio
Bending Spoons S.p.A., a Milan‑based technology firm, has filed to list on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker BSP. The company acquires digital businesses and optimizes them for profitability. Its portfolio includes consumer brands such as AOL, Evernote, Vimeo, Eventbrite, WeTransfer and StreamYard, collectively reaching roughly 500 million monthly users across more than 50 products.
The tokenized BSPx will be backed 1:1 by the underlying shares and held in custody by a regulated entity. Unlike traditional brokerage accounts, xStocks can move across participating platforms, be transferred on‑chain, and integrate with DeFi applications, providing continuous, global access to the equity.
xStocks Infrastructure and Upcoming Offerings
xStocks, launched in June 2025, is the industry benchmark for tokenized equities, delivering fully collateralized, 1:1‑backed tokens for U.S. stocks and ETFs. The platform enables interoperability between centralized exchanges, self‑custodied wallets and on‑chain applications, supporting trading, collateralization and decentralized finance use cases. Payward Services plans to add more Pre‑IPO Access offerings for xStocks Alliance members in the coming months, subject to geographic restrictions.
Key Takeaways
- Payward Services now allows eligible customers in over 110 countries to submit non‑binding indications of interest for Bending Spoons’ Nasdaq IPO via the tokenized BSPx asset.
- Bending Spoons, the Milan‑based owner of brands such as WeTransfer and Evernote, has filed to list on Nasdaq under ticker BSP, with each BSPx token backed 1:1 by an underlying share held in regulated custody.
- The xStocks infrastructure supports on‑chain transfer, cross‑platform mobility and DeFi integration, and Payward Services will roll out additional Pre‑IPO Access offerings in the coming months.
FinanceInsyte's Take
The announcement demonstrates how tokenized equity infrastructure can extend primary‑market access beyond traditional geographic and wealth barriers. While allocation remains at the issuer’s discretion, the ability to reserve interest globally may attract a broader investor base. Executives should monitor regulatory guidance on tokenized securities and the operational readiness of on‑chain settlement as the model scales.
Source: Businesswire
