Venus Protocol has introduced a new lending market on BNB Chain that allows users to borrow funds using tokenized stocks as collateral. The launch marks the first time the decentralized lending platform has accepted digital assets tied to publicly traded stocks, expanding the range of assets that can be used to secure loans.
The new feature lets investors unlock liquidity without selling their holdings, a step that further blends traditional financial assets with decentralized finance. The launch centers on Binance-issued bStocks, which represent tokenized versions of publicly traded equities.
Venus announced the rollout on June 20, saying supported tokenized stocks can now be used as collateral across its lending platform. Users can access the service through Binance Wallet, Trust Wallet and PancakeSwap.
Tokenized stocks enter DeFi lending
The launch brings Binance’s bStocks to the Venus Core Pool, allowing tokenized U.S. stocks to be used alongside assets such as Bitcoin, Ether, BNB, USDT and USDC. The digital assets are backed on a one-to-one basis by underlying shares and settle directly on BNB Chain, giving users access to stock exposure through blockchain-based markets.
Venus said the new feature is designed to let investors access funds without selling their positions. The protocol stated, “Tokenized stocks brought stock-market exposure on-chain. Now they can be used as collateral.” The team added, “Instead of selling stock exposure to access capital, eligible users can unlock liquidity through Venus.”
The move expands the range of assets accepted on the platform. Venus had previously supported tokenized commodities, including Matrixdock’s XAUm gold token, but the addition of bStocks brings equities into its collateral framework. As a result, users can borrow against tokenized stock holdings while maintaining exposure to the underlying shares.
Expansion comes after security challenges
The launch also drew support from Native.fi Product & Research, which works on infrastructure designed to provide pricing and liquidity for tokenized assets. The group posted, “Excited to expand together with VenusProtocol on bStocks liquidity and utility!”
Native’s infrastructure helps support trading activity for tokenized stocks, while Binance Wallet and Trust Wallet provide users with access to the new market through familiar Web3 applications.
The rollout comes after a challenging period for Venus. In March, attackers manipulated the price of THE token and exploited low liquidity in a scheme that targeted the protocol’s lending markets after months of preparation.
That being said, Venus is still the biggest lending system on the BNB chain with approximately $1.47 billion in value locked. This is part of Binance’s move towards tokenized equities after its latest move to offer stocks trading platform to people from outside the US.
As tokenized versions of traditional assets gain traction, platforms such as Venus are positioning themselves at the intersection of conventional finance and decentralized markets.
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