it can be taken in cash or in kind.
Why do you want to take the transfer in kind?
there is no benefit as the cost basis is zero and in fact it becomes harder to calculate EXACTLY what the value of the stock was on the day of the distribution in order to ensure you are meeting the RMD. (this isn't an issue in 2020, because RMD = 0 for everyone).
I find it a headache to take these RMD's in kind and always take it in cash so i know EXACTLY how much was distributed and once I invest the proceeds i know my new cost basis EXACTLY.
