BNB Chain launches $20K hackathon to build out its tokenized stocks ecosystem

BNB Chain is putting $20,000 on the table for developers willing to build tools around one of crypto’s fastest-growing sectors: tokenized stocks. The BNB Hack: Tokenized Stocks Edition, an online hackathon accepting submissions from September 16 through October 11, is designed to accelerate development of blockchain-native applications tied to tokenized equities. The tokenized stocks boom on BNB Chain The chain launched bStocks in June 2026, a platform offering 1:1-backed tokenized versions of US equities as BEP-20 tokens. Think of it like buying Apple or Tesla stock, except the asset lives on a blockchain and trades 24/7 instead of being locked behind market hours and broker intermediaries. bStocks reached a market cap in the hundreds of millions within weeks of launch. Before bStocks even arrived, xStocks had already introduced over 50 tokenized US equities and ETFs on BNB Chain by late April 2026. Cumulative tokenized stock trading volume on BNB Chain surpassed $5.2 billion by mid-September 2026. During Labor Day weekend alone, volume crossed $1 billion. At peak times, BNB Chain has commanded nearly 30% of the total global market cap for tokenized stocks and ETFs. The only platf...