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AI stocks surge on MEXC as tokenized trading volume jumps 88%
Demand for artificial intelligence assets drove significant growth across the cryptocurrency exchange's traditional finance offerings in September.
Key takeaways
- AI infrastructure dominates. Four AI-related subsectors, semiconductors, optical communications, power equipment, and data centers, each recorded growth exceeding 90%, with semiconductor and memory assets rising 100%.
- Broader than chips. Trading interest extended beyond semiconductor manufacturers to encompass the entire AI value chain, including power infrastructure and data center equipment.
- Expansion continues. MEXC added 15% more trading pairs and introduced dedicated sections for Pre-IPO and Taiwanese stocks, positioning itself as a multi-asset platform bridging crypto and traditional finance.
What happened
MEXC, a cryptocurrency exchange offering zero-fee trading, reported substantial growth across its traditional finance offerings in September. Trading volume for AI-related tokenized assets climbed 88% from the prior month, significantly outpacing the 63% growth seen in non-AI assets. Meanwhile, overall tokenized U.S. stock spot trading volume increased 81% month-over-month, demonstrating robust demand across the platform's equity products.
The surge was concentrated in infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence. Four subsectors each posted growth exceeding 90%: semiconductors and memory assets rose 100%, optical communications and networking jumped 99%, power and energy equipment grew 96%, and computing infrastructure and data centers increased 91%. This breadth reflects investor appetite for the complete AI production and deployment chain rather than isolated chip manufacturers.
AI-related assets now represent 48% of MEXC's tokenized U.S. stock and ETF spot trading volume, up from 44% in August. Among the platform's top 10 most-traded tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs, six positions went to AI companies generating 59% of combined volume, while crypto-related firms held four spots accounting for 41%. Micron Technology, SK Hynix, and Sandisk dominated the derivatives trading segment, collectively generating 67% of the top 10 futures volume.
Why it matters
The shift reflects how retail investors are accessing traditional financial markets through cryptocurrency infrastructure. MEXC's growth demonstrates growing convergence between crypto exchanges and traditional finance, as platforms integrate equity derivatives and tokenized stocks into their offerings. The concentration of trading in AI-related assets signals strong retail interest in a sector that dominates technology markets and corporate investment strategies. That demand extends beyond headline-grabbing chip stocks to encompass less visible but critical infrastructure, a sign investors are building positions across multiple layers of the AI supply chain rather than chasing single stocks.
Background
MEXC, founded in 2018, positions itself as a multi-asset trading gateway serving users across more than 170 countries. The platform offers access to cryptocurrencies, tokenized stocks, derivatives, and traditional finance-linked products without trading fees. It currently supports over 450 stock and index futures pairs, more than 200 tokenized U.S. stocks, and access to approximately 7,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs through its RealStocks offering. The September expansion included a 15% increase in TradFi futures trading pairs and the addition of dedicated sections for Pre-IPO and Taiwanese equities, reflecting broader efforts to bridge retail access to markets traditionally segmented by geography and asset class.
What to watch
Pre-IPO futures emerged as the fastest-growing category on MEXC during September, with trading volume rising 60%. Moonshot AI led private company contracts with 115% growth, followed by Enflame at 99% and OpenAI at 51%. The platform also expanded Pre-IPO offerings to include Polymarket, YMTC, and Oura. This segment's rapid expansion suggests retail investors are increasingly seeking exposure to private AI companies ahead of potential public offerings, a trend that warrants monitoring for signs of speculation in nascent markets.
Questions readers ask
Why did semiconductor stocks dominate AI trading volume?
Semiconductors and memory chips are fundamental to AI hardware. As demand for AI infrastructure grows, investors seek exposure to the companies supplying these critical components. Micron Technology, SK Hynix, and Sandisk were the top three traded assets, reflecting their position in the supply chain.
What does this tell us about where investor focus is shifting?
Interest is broadening beyond individual chip manufacturers to encompass the full AI value chain, including optical networking, power equipment, and data centers. AI-related assets grew to represent 48% of MEXC's tokenized stock trading volume, suggesting sustained institutional and retail appetite for exposure to AI infrastructure.
