October 2026 Global Regulatory Brief: AI risk management, tokenized securities and cryptoasset regulation

Global financial regulators are advancing digital finance frameworks, with the US SEC moving to facilitate onchain trading of tokenized NMS stocks. Simultaneously, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has finalized its AI risk management guidelines, requiring financial institutions to implement phased governance and lifecycle controls by 2027 and 2028. In the Middle East, Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has established a mandatory minimum audit scope for Virtual Asset Service Providers to ensure 100% reserve asset backing. These developments reflect a broader international trend toward formalizing the operational and security standards for digital assets and AI integration within traditional finance. By setting clear expectations for custody, auditability, and risk management, these regulators aim to provide the institutional certainty required for the broader adoption of tokenized assets. The SEC's specific focus on onchain NMS stocks marks a significant milestone for the integration of traditional securities markets with blockchain infrastructure. These coordinated regulatory efforts are essential for maturing the RWA ecosystem and ensuring that tokenized financial products meet the rigorous standards of global capital markets.