Signals for the Tokenized Economy

Tokenized asset market in Brazil reaches R$10bn

The Brazilian tokenized asset market experienced a tenfold increase over the past year, reaching R$10 billion in August 2026. According to the 2026 Brazil Tokenization Report by Nexa Finance, this growth is heavily skewed toward private credit, which accounts for 88% of the total volume. While the market has expanded significantly compared to the global growth rate of twofold, it still represents only a small fraction of Brazil's broader financial sector. Regulatory frameworks like CVM Resolution 88 and Resolution 160 have been instrumental in facilitating this transition, with the latter now serving as the primary channel for public securities offerings. The CVM, led by Otto Lobo, is actively formalizing oversight through a proposed DLT Pilot Program to test the issuance and settlement of various securities. This initiative aims to integrate blockchain-based assets into the traditional regulatory environment while providing the commission with real-time transaction visibility. The shift signals that Brazil is moving beyond experimental phases into operational maturity for tokenized financial instruments. This development highlights the country's proactive approach to digitizing traditional credit and receivables markets.

valorinternational.globo.com·Sep 23, 20268.0

ARK Venture Fund Gets SEC Nod for Tokenized Fund Shares

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has granted ARK Venture Fund approval to issue a tokenized class of shares, marking a significant regulatory milestone for secondary market trading of fund interests. Under the Sept. 21 order, these shares will be recorded on a distributed ledger and can be traded on alternative trading systems or via peer-to-peer transfers between approved wallets. To ensure compliance, the fund must conduct rigorous anti-money-laundering and know-your-customer checks on all participating wallets. The approval requires daily disclosure of the net asset value on the fund's website, while acknowledging that secondary market prices may deviate from this value. This development allows ARK Investment Management to move beyond its previous 2025 structure, which lacked provisions for secondary market liquidity. By enabling tokenized shares for an interval fund focused on disruptive innovation, the SEC is establishing a clearer pathway for the integration of blockchain technology into traditional investment vehicles. This move reflects a broader regulatory trend, as the commission simultaneously explores frameworks for tokenized NMS stocks and other digital securities venues.

cryptotimes.io·Sep 23, 20268.5

Blockchain.com and NYSE Explore 24/7 Tokenized Securities

Blockchain.com and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the distribution of tokenized U.S. equities and ETFs. The partnership aims to leverage the NYSE’s proposed digital Alternative Trading System (ATS) to provide Blockchain.com’s global user base with 24/7 access to traditional securities. By integrating tokenized assets, the initiative seeks to enable fractional ownership, continuous trading, and faster on-chain settlement for retail investors. Additionally, the agreement includes a bidirectional data-sharing arrangement where ICE Data Services will distribute crypto market analytics to institutional clients, while Blockchain.com will incorporate NYSE data feeds into its platform. This collaboration highlights the growing institutional interest in bridging traditional finance with blockchain infrastructure, aligning with broader industry forecasts that project a $5.5 trillion market for tokenized assets by 2030. While the project remains in the planning phase and is subject to regulatory approval, it represents a significant effort to modernize market access. The move underscores a strategic shift toward merging crypto-native distribution channels with regulated exchange-listed products.

coinpedia.org·Sep 23, 20268.0

HKMA and SFC unveil digital-asset plans for stablecoins and tokenized gold

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) have unveiled comprehensive plans to integrate blockchain technology into core financial market infrastructure. By the end of 2026, the HKMA will upgrade its Central Moneymarkets Unit to support 24/7 real-time on-chain settlement for digital Hong Kong dollars and CBDCs. Simultaneously, the SFC is developing a new licensing regime and a long-term regulatory framework specifically for tokenized investment products, including gold and other real-world assets. These initiatives aim to deepen financial connectivity between mainland China and global markets while enhancing oversight through AI-driven surveillance tools like CrypTech. The region has already begun issuing stablecoin licenses, with HSBC and Anchorpoint Financial leading early adoption. Furthermore, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) is expanding its commodities offerings by introducing yuan-denominated gold futures. These coordinated regulatory and infrastructure efforts signal a major shift toward institutionalizing digital asset markets in Hong Kong. This development is critical for the RWA sector as it provides a clear legal pathway for tokenizing traditional assets within a major global financial hub.

cryptopolitan.com·Sep 23, 20269.0

MoonPay eyes tokenized securities push with $60 million acquisition of brokerage firm North Capital

MoonPay has acquired North Capital Investment Technology for over $60 million in an all-stock deal to accelerate its entry into the tokenized securities market. This strategic acquisition provides MoonPay with essential SEC-registered brokerage licenses, including broker-dealer, transfer agent, and alternative trading system (ATS) capabilities. North Capital previously collaborated with tZero to facilitate the trading of tokenized assets, establishing a foundation for compliant digital securities. By integrating these back-end services, MoonPay aims to build the regulatory infrastructure necessary for the mass adoption of tokenized debt and equity. The move follows a broader industry trend where major firms like Robinhood and Kraken are expanding their tokenized asset offerings. This development is further supported by a recent SEC "innovators exemption" that provides a clearer regulatory pathway for companies to offer tokenized stocks. The acquisition underscores the growing institutional focus on programmable financial infrastructure to bridge traditional equities with blockchain technology.

fortune.com·Sep 23, 20268.0

NYSE and Blockchain.com to explore selling tokenised stocks

reuters.com·Sep 23, 20268.5

SEC Opens Door to Tokenized Equities, DeFi Market Cap Hits $80 Billion — Bitwise CIO Draws Parallels to Early AI Era

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has introduced a temporary five-year exemption allowing for the conditional on-chain trading of tokenized U.S. listed equities, provided issuers are notified and shareholder rights are maintained. Simultaneously, S&P Global announced the acquisition of OpenZeppelin, a smart contract security firm whose technology has secured over $37 trillion in value transfers. These developments signal a significant institutional push toward the on-chain migration of financial markets, with regulators and ratings agencies building the necessary infrastructure for tokenized assets. Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan highlighted these events as evidence of a structural shift in financial mechanics, comparing the current trajectory of tokenization to the early growth phase of artificial intelligence. While the current market for tokenized equities remains at approximately $2.9 billion, the potential for integration into DeFi protocols for lending and yield generation is substantial. Traditional exchanges are also responding to this shift, with Nasdaq planning to launch 23-hour trading by December 2026 to compete with the always-on nature of crypto markets. These combined regulatory and infrastructure milestones suggest that tokenization is moving beyond speculative interest into a phase of institutional legitimacy.

finance.biggo.com·Sep 23, 20269.0

Tokenized Deposits vs Payment Stablecoins: The Two-Track Race for Institutional Money

The digital asset market is bifurcating due to the GENIUS Act, which prohibits stablecoins from paying interest while allowing bank-issued tokenized deposits to do so. With a January 2027 enforcement deadline approaching, institutions are choosing between bank-native liabilities and yield-optimized stablecoin wrappers. The Clearing House, representing 25 major banks including JPMorgan and Citigroup, is developing a shared tokenized deposit network to launch in early 2027. While tokenized deposits offer FDIC insurance and interest-bearing capabilities, stablecoin issuers are pivoting to tokenized money market funds like BlackRock’s BUIDL to bypass yield restrictions. JPMorgan analysts estimate that tokenized MMFs could eventually capture 50% of the stablecoin market cap as issuers navigate regulatory scrutiny from the OCC. The market for tokenized deposits is projected to grow from $6 billion in 2026 to $38.6 billion by 2034. This institutional shift highlights a fundamental race between legacy banking infrastructure and the maturing stablecoin ecosystem.

forkast.news·Sep 23, 20268.5

Binance Research: The Fifth Crypto Cycle Driven by RWA

Binance Research identifies the fifth crypto market cycle, beginning in 2026, as the era of RWA and DeFi 3.0, marking a shift from speculative narratives to verifiable cash flows. As of September 15, 2026, the tokenized RWA market reached $34.18 billion, representing an 85.2% year-to-date increase. Bonds and money market funds dominate this sector with $18.29 billion, while tokenized stocks emerged as the fastest-growing category with a 390.4% annual surge. This transition signifies a fundamental transfer of pricing power, where on-chain yields are increasingly anchored to Federal Reserve interest rates and traditional credit markets rather than protocol-driven token inflation. The report highlights that while current penetration remains low at approximately 0.01% of traditional markets, institutional adoption is accelerating through products like BlackRock’s BUIDL and Franklin Templeton’s BENJI. By integrating real-world assets, the industry aims to provide stable, compliant returns that can withstand macro-economic volatility. This evolution suggests that future crypto cycles will be more closely aligned with global interest rate environments than historical halving-driven patterns.

ababnews.com·Sep 23, 20268.0

Franklin Templeton Expands BENJI Tokenization Platform to BNB Chain

Franklin Templeton has expanded its Benji Technology Platform by integrating with BNB Chain to increase the accessibility of its tokenized investment products. The platform currently manages the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund, which has reached $732 million in assets under management since its initial launch on the Stellar network in 2021. By leveraging BNB Chain's infrastructure, the asset manager aims to provide greater utility for its tokenized assets while maintaining strict compliance and security standards. This move highlights a broader trend of institutional players seeking to distribute traditional financial products across multiple blockchain ecosystems. Roger Bayston, head of digital assets at Franklin Templeton, noted that the strategy focuses on meeting investors within their preferred active environments. Sarah Song of BNB Chain emphasized that this partnership validates the network's capacity to handle regulated real-world assets at a significant scale. The integration marks a notable step in the ongoing institutional adoption of blockchain technology for the management and distribution of traditional financial instruments.

coinmarketcap.com·Sep 23, 20268.0

CFTC Chairman Selig says markets must prepare for ‘mass tokenization’

CFTC Chair Michael Selig has signaled a major regulatory shift, urging the agency to prepare for mass tokenization and the transition to 24/7 financial markets. Speaking at a New York Fed conference, Selig emphasized that the next decade will likely see more transformation in financial infrastructure than the previous several decades combined. The CFTC is actively exploring the integration of blockchain and artificial intelligence to modernize market operations while maintaining the U.S. market's status as a global gold standard. This push includes ongoing efforts to facilitate responsible stablecoin adoption for clearinghouses and exchanges, building on previous moves to allow stablecoins as eligible collateral. Simultaneously, the SEC has introduced an innovation exemption to support the onchain trading of tokenized stocks. These regulatory developments suggest a coordinated effort to modernize U.S. financial markets despite the current legislative stalemate in the Senate. This shift is critical for the RWA market as it provides the necessary legal framework for institutional-grade, round-the-clock asset settlement.

The Block·Sep 22, 20268.5

New York Life Moves High-Yield Bonds Onchain With Centrifuge

New York Life Investment Management (NYLIM), which oversees over $300 billion in assets, is partnering with Centrifuge to bring a high-yield corporate bond strategy onto the Avalanche blockchain. This initiative utilizes USDC as the primary mechanism for subscriptions and redemptions, marking a shift from traditional settlement processes to blockchain-based infrastructure. Unlike retail-focused digital assets, this product is strictly limited to qualified institutional buyers, maintaining the conventional risk and return profile of high-yield corporate credit. By moving beyond tokenized government debt and cash-like assets, the project tests the viability of public blockchains for more complex institutional fixed-income products. Centrifuge provides the necessary tokenization technology, while Avalanche serves as the underlying network for ownership and servicing. This development highlights the growing interest among major asset managers in leveraging distributed ledger technology to potentially streamline capital movement and operational workflows. Ultimately, the move represents an institutional experiment in integrating blockchain into established financial markets without altering the fundamental nature of the underlying corporate bonds.

cointrust.com·Sep 22, 20268.0