German Fintech 21X Secures EU License to Revolutionize Blockchain-Based Tokenization Platform
German fintech company 21X has made a significant breakthrough by securing regulatory approval to launch its blockchain-powered tokenization platform. The company, one of the four applicants under the European Union’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Pilot Regime, received the green light to operate a regulated blockchain-based trading and settlement system, as announced on December 3.
The license, granted by Germany’s financial supervisory authority, BaFin (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht), enables 21X to establish its exchange for tokenized financial instruments. Headquartered in Frankfurt, the firm is poised to launch its operations in the first quarter of 2025, offering a comprehensive suite of services that includes tokenization, issuance, distribution, listing, and trading of tokenized assets.
The EU’s DLT Pilot Regime serves as a robust legal framework that facilitates the trading and settlement of cryptocurrency assets classified as financial instruments under MiFID II (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive and Regulation). Effective since March 2023, the regime is designed to support innovative market infrastructures, including DLT-based multilateral trading facilities, settlement systems, and trading-settlement hybrids.
It took 21X an extensive 18-month collaboration with key regulatory bodies—including BaFin, the German Federal Bank, and EU entities such as the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the European Central Bank (ECB)—to secure its license. This process highlights the stringent compliance measures underpinning this regulatory milestone.
“This is more than just a license—it’s a revolutionary moment for capital markets,” remarked Max Heinzle, founder and CEO of 21X. “For the first time, institutional and retail investors can trade and settle tokenized securities on a fully regulated, blockchain-based exchange with the same trust, security, and compliance as traditional financial markets.”
21X’s Strategic Partnerships
To build its cutting-edge blockchain-based platform, 21X has joined forces with notable technology and financial service providers, including Polygon, Chainlink, Apex Group, and SBI Digital Markets.
Polygon, a leading Ethereum-linked blockchain network, plays a critical role in enhancing the platform’s scalability and security. By leveraging Polygon’s proof-of-stake protocol, 21X benefits from cost-effective transaction fees, fast transaction speeds, and robust security measures. “Polygon is one of the most widely adopted protocols globally, supporting thousands of decentralized applications,” the company stated in an earlier announcement.
Additionally, 21X has partnered with Chainlink, a renowned Web3 services platform, recognizing it as a foundational standard for on-chain finance. These collaborations ensure that 21X’s platform integrates cutting-edge technology and delivers unparalleled efficiency for tokenized securities trading and settlement.
Applications Under the EU’s DLT Pilot Regime
21X is among at least four entities that have applied for licensing under the EU’s DLT Pilot Regime, as confirmed by ESMA. Other applications include a DLT trading and settlement system and a DLT multilateral trading facility from Germany, a DLT settlement system from the Czech Republic, and another trading-settlement hybrid from the Netherlands.
Notably, the Czech Republic’s CSD Prague received approval in October to operate under the regime, reflecting the growing momentum of blockchain adoption across Europe.
21X’s approval under the EU’s DLT Pilot Regime signifies a pivotal step forward in integrating blockchain technology with traditional financial systems. By fostering trust, security, and compliance through a regulated blockchain-based platform, 21X is setting a new benchmark for capital markets and advancing the adoption of tokenized financial instruments across Europe and beyond.
