Forward Industries Enables SEC-Registered Equity to Be Used in DeFi via Solana

Forward Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: FWDI) announced that its SEC-registered shares are now live on the Solana blockchain through Superstate's Opening Bell platform. This marks the first instance where a public company's equity can be utilized directly within decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems. Tokenized FWDI shares are available for eligible non-U.S. holders to post as collateral on Kamino, a leading Solana-based lending protocol.

The integration enables investors to borrow stablecoins against their equity holdings while maintaining exposure to FWDI stock. This functionality is supported by real-time price feeds from Pyth, a decentralized oracle network. The company emphasized that this approach differs from synthetic tokenized stock models by directly tokenizing Forward's Class A Common Stock through Superstate, which operates as a registered SEC transfer agent. This distinction is significant as it provides a direct, regulated link between the traditional equity and its on-chain representation.

Forward Industries stated that the collaboration establishes a foundation for expanded on-chain equity functionality as regulatory guidance in the digital asset space continues to evolve. The initiative also provides existing shareholders with the option to hold their shares on the Solana blockchain via Superstate's platform. This move aligns with the company's broader engagement with blockchain technology, which includes a Solana treasury strategy initiated in September 2025. That strategy is dedicated to acquiring SOL and increasing SOL-per-share through bespoke strategies and active management, supported by industry partners including Galaxy Digital, Jump Crypto, and Multicoin Capital. More information on this strategy is available at https://sol.forwardindustries.com.

The implications of this announcement are multifaceted for the financial industry. It represents a tangible bridge between traditional regulated securities markets and the rapidly growing DeFi sector. By allowing SEC-registered equity to function as collateral in DeFi protocols, it potentially increases capital efficiency for investors who can now leverage their stock holdings without selling them. For the blockchain and DeFi industry, the integration of a publicly traded company's equity via a registered transfer agent adds a layer of regulatory compliance and legitimacy that has often been absent in tokenized asset projects.

This development could pave the way for other public companies to explore similar on-chain equity offerings, potentially increasing liquidity and utility for traditional stocks. As regulatory frameworks for digital assets develop, such integrations may become more common, further blurring the lines between conventional finance and decentralized systems. The news and updates relating to FWDI are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/FWDI.