#SEC

185 articles tagged #SEC — curated RWA tokenization coverage.

#TokenizedStocks #RWA #Regulation #Tokenization #TokenizedSecurities #Blockchain #Securitize #CFTC #TokenizedEquities #CLARITYAct

U.S. Treasuries

Franklin Templeton Secures SEC Approval for BENJI Tokenized Fund Investments

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has granted regulatory approval allowing Franklin Templeton’s registered mutual funds and ETFs to hold the BENJI tokenized money market fund directly. This decision resolves long-standing custody challenges related to Section 17(f) and Rule 17f-2 of the Investment Company Act, which previously required physical certificate safeguards incompatible with blockchain-based assets. By utilizing the Stellar blockchain alongside traditional transfer-agent oversight, Franklin Templeton can now integrate tokenized government debt instruments into its broader investment portfolios. This development marks a significant shift in how institutional investment vehicles manage digital assets, moving away from legacy physical custody requirements toward electronic, blockchain-enabled record-keeping. The SEC’s no-action correspondence validates the firm's hybrid architecture, which combines on-chain transaction data with authoritative off-chain shareholder documentation. This approval enables more efficient cash management and capital allocation strategies across Franklin’s registered investment products. Ultimately, this milestone reinforces the institutional viability of tokenized funds by aligning modern blockchain infrastructure with established regulatory frameworks.

#Stellar #FranklinTempleton #SEC

Blockonomi·Aug 13, 20269.0

Infrastructure

SEC Advances Tokenized-Securities Exemption That Could Enable 24/7 Trading

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed a new exemption that could fundamentally alter the landscape for tokenized securities by allowing them to trade on a 24/7 basis. This regulatory shift targets the current limitations of traditional market hours, which often conflict with the continuous nature of blockchain-based settlement. By potentially exempting certain tokenized securities from specific registration requirements, the SEC aims to foster innovation while maintaining investor protections. This move is particularly significant for the RWA sector, as it addresses the friction between legacy financial infrastructure and the efficiency of distributed ledger technology. If finalized, the exemption would provide a clearer legal pathway for platforms to offer round-the-clock trading of tokenized assets. Industry participants view this as a critical step toward integrating real-world assets into the broader digital economy. The proposal reflects a growing recognition by regulators that tokenization requires a modernized framework to reach institutional scale.

#RWA #Blockchain #SEC

thedefiant.io·Aug 13, 20269.0

U.S. Treasuries

Franklin Templeton: SEC Clears Onchain Fund Custody

Franklin Templeton has secured a significant no-action letter from the SEC Division of Investment Management regarding its OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund, known as FOBXX. This regulatory relief permits the fund to be utilized for cash management and as collateral for securities lending, moving beyond traditional physical-securities settlement requirements. By enabling ownership to be recorded directly on its blockchain-integrated system, the firm can now facilitate intraday trading and more efficient collateral management. This development marks a pivotal shift in how institutional-grade money market funds interact with distributed ledger technology. It effectively bridges the gap between legacy financial infrastructure and blockchain-based settlement, enhancing the utility of tokenized assets. For the broader RWA market, this approval signals a growing regulatory comfort with using on-chain assets for complex financial operations. The move underscores the increasing integration of tokenized government securities into mainstream institutional workflows.

#Tokenization #FranklinTempleton #FOBXX

blockchain.news·Aug 12, 20269.0

Stocks

SEC plans crypto investment regime and tokenized stock exemption - Bloomberg By Investing.com

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is reportedly developing a new regulatory framework aimed at integrating crypto assets into the traditional investment landscape. This initiative includes a potential exemption for tokenized stocks, which would allow these digital representations of equity to trade under specific regulatory conditions. By creating a dedicated regime, the SEC seeks to address the legal complexities surrounding the intersection of blockchain technology and securities law. This move represents a significant shift in the agency's approach, moving from purely enforcement-based actions toward establishing clear compliance pathways for digital assets. For the RWA market, this development is critical as it provides a clearer path for institutional adoption of tokenized equities. If implemented, the exemption could reduce the friction currently preventing traditional financial firms from offering tokenized stock products on public or private blockchains. The proposal underscores the growing pressure on regulators to modernize market infrastructure to accommodate the increasing demand for blockchain-based financial instruments.

#SEC #TokenizedStocks #Regulation

investing.com·Aug 11, 20268.5

Infrastructure

SEC sets August 14 ‘Regulation Crypto’ meeting as CLARITY Act stalls

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has scheduled an open meeting for August 14 to discuss a proposed regulatory framework for cryptocurrency investment contracts. This initiative, often referred to as Regulation Crypto, aims to establish a tailored offering regime that could allow certain projects to raise capital without undergoing conventional securities registration. The proposal also explores potential pathways for projects to exit SEC oversight once they achieve sufficient decentralization or founder inactivity. This move comes as the legislative CLARITY Act remains stalled in the Senate, highlighting a shift toward agency-led rulemaking to provide market clarity. While the SEC cannot replace comprehensive congressional legislation, these formal rules are intended to be more resilient than informal guidance. The effort is reportedly supported by Paul Atkins, who is also focusing on initiatives related to tokenized securities and asset classification in collaboration with the CFTC. Although the meeting marks a significant step, the rulemaking process will still require months of public comment and subsequent commission votes before finalization.

#Crypto #SEC #Regulation

AMBCrypto·Aug 11, 20267.0

Stocks

SEC's Peirce Says Tokenized Stock Exemption Will Be Narrow

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce clarified on May 21 that any potential regulatory exemption for tokenized stock trading will be strictly limited to digital representations of underlying equity securities. This statement serves to temper market expectations following a Bloomberg report that suggested a broader innovation exemption for third-party exchanges. Peirce emphasized that synthetic tokens, which merely track price without providing ownership rights, are unlikely to qualify for such regulatory relief. This distinction is critical for the RWA market, as it prioritizes tokens that confer actual voting rights and dividends over derivative products. Industry leaders like Securitize's Brett Redfearn have expressed concerns that allowing third-party tokenization without issuer involvement could lead to significant ownership fragmentation. Currently, the on-chain tokenized stock market holds approximately $1.48 billion in assets, a figure that remains far from the trillion-dollar projections made by institutions like Citibank and McKinsey. The SEC continues to deliberate on the final scope of these rules, reflecting an ongoing internal debate regarding the integration of blockchain-based securities into traditional financial frameworks.

#RWA #Securitize #SEC

coinmarketcap.com·Aug 11, 20268.0

Infrastructure

Crypto Can Advance Without CLARITY Act, Grayscale Research Says

Grayscale Head of Research Zach Pandl reports that the CLARITY Act faces significant hurdles to passage in 2024 due to Senate scheduling conflicts and election-year political friction. While the bill aimed to establish a comprehensive national framework for digital assets, including provisions for tokenized securities and intermediary oversight, its delay is viewed as a missed opportunity rather than a terminal roadblock. Pandl emphasizes that the crypto industry has operated for nearly 17 years without such legislation and will continue to advance through existing regulatory channels. Regulators like the SEC are expected to fill legislative gaps through incremental rulemaking, building upon current guidance regarding institutional custody and banking access. This shift toward agency-led oversight is particularly relevant for the RWA sector, as tokenized securities remain a focal point for future regulatory attention. Despite the lack of comprehensive law, market participants are expected to continue building under current frameworks. However, the absence of clear domestic rules may still incentivize developers and issuers to seek more favorable jurisdictions abroad.

#Grayscale #SEC #Regulation

Blockonomi·Aug 9, 20267.0

Infrastructure

CLARITY Act Gets Senate Cloture Filing Ahead of September Vote

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has filed cloture on the motion to proceed to the CLARITY Act, formally known as H.R. 3633, to initiate the Senate floor process for digital commodity market regulation. This procedural move preserves a pathway for the legislation to be considered immediately upon the Senate's return from its state work period, which concludes on September 11. The bill, which previously passed the House in July 2025, aims to establish a federal framework defining the regulatory jurisdictions of the SEC and the CFTC. Despite this progress, the legislation faces significant hurdles, including a 60-vote threshold required to invoke cloture and ongoing disputes regarding government ethics, illicit finance safeguards, and stablecoin reward structures. Negotiators must resolve these policy disagreements to secure the necessary bipartisan support before the narrow legislative window closes in early October. The filing is a critical development for the RWA and broader crypto market, as it signals a formal attempt to codify market structure rules that could provide legal clarity for tokenized assets and digital commodities. Failure to reach a consensus on these contentious issues could stall the bill, leaving the industry without a unified federal regulatory standard. Consequently, the upcoming September session serves as a decisive test for the industry's ability to navigate complex legislative negotiations.

#CFTC #SEC #Regulation

Blockonomi·Aug 8, 20267.5

Infrastructure

Plume joins DTCC digital assets working group as tokenization push gains momentum

Plume Network, a modular blockchain specialized in real-world asset tokenization, has joined the DTCC’s Digital Assets Solutions Industry Working Group. This group, which has expanded to over 100 member firms since its inception in May 2026, focuses on advancing interoperability between blockchain systems and traditional financial settlement infrastructure. Plume brings unique regulatory standing to the group, having registered as an SEC transfer agent in October 2025. This status allows the network to legally maintain authoritative onchain shareholder records, effectively replacing traditional intermediaries for compliance and ownership tracking. By participating in this working group, Plume is positioned to influence the standards for custody, settlement, and compliance reporting as the industry prepares for the DTCC's broader commercial tokenization launch in October 2026. This development is significant because it bridges the gap between specialized RWA blockchains and the mainstream infrastructure that settles the majority of U.S. securities transactions. As the DTCC moves toward scaling tokenized assets like Russell 1000 stocks and ETFs, Plume’s existing interoperability and regulatory credentials provide a direct pathway to support institutional demand.

#RWA #Tokenization #SEC

cryptobriefing.com·Aug 6, 20268.5

U.S. Treasuries

CLARITY Act (U.S.): What It Means for Digital Assets and RWA Tokenization

The Clarity Act represents a significant legislative effort in the United States to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets and tokenized real-world assets. By aiming to provide legal certainty, the bill seeks to clarify the jurisdictional boundaries between the SEC and the CFTC, which has historically hindered institutional adoption. The legislation specifically addresses the classification of digital assets, distinguishing between securities and commodities to foster innovation while maintaining investor protections. For the RWA market, this clarity is essential as it provides a roadmap for tokenizing traditional financial instruments like bonds and real estate without the threat of retroactive enforcement. The act encourages the integration of blockchain technology into mainstream finance by setting clear standards for custody, reporting, and compliance. As institutional players demand regulatory guardrails, this legislative push serves as a catalyst for moving beyond pilot programs toward large-scale asset tokenization. Ultimately, the Clarity Act is positioned to bridge the gap between legacy financial systems and decentralized infrastructure, potentially unlocking trillions in liquidity.

#RWA #SEC #DigitalAssets

Finextra — Crypto·Aug 4, 20267.5

Infrastructure

Bernstein says Clarity Act failure could accelerate SEC, CFTC crypto rulemaking

Bernstein analysts suggest that the failure of the Clarity Act to pass this year may paradoxically accelerate crypto rulemaking by the SEC and CFTC. The firm anticipates that regulators will shift toward a 'Project Crypto' approach, utilizing existing enforcement powers to establish market standards in the absence of comprehensive legislative action. This shift is significant for the RWA market as it implies a transition from legislative uncertainty to a more defined, albeit enforcement-led, regulatory environment. By formalizing rules through agency action, the SEC and CFTC could provide the necessary legal framework for institutional participants to scale tokenized asset offerings. Such a development would likely impact how RWA protocols navigate compliance requirements across various blockchain networks. The transition toward agency-driven rulemaking highlights the ongoing tension between legislative gridlock and the urgent need for clear operational guidelines in the digital asset space. Ultimately, this regulatory pivot could either provide the clarity needed for institutional adoption or introduce further friction for decentralized finance projects.

#CFTC #SEC #Regulation

The Block·Aug 3, 20267.0

Stocks

759,000 Tokenized Equity Holders But Not All of Them Own a Share

The number of blockchain wallets holding tokenized equities surged to approximately 759,000 in July 2026, marking a significant increase from January levels. This growth highlights a critical divergence in the market between tokens backed by actual shares and those offering mere economic exposure. For instance, Backpack’s SPCX token on Solana provides one-to-one backing with redeemable shares via DTCC rails, whereas synthetic tracker tokens offer only price exposure without voting or dividend rights. The SEC clarified in January that tokenization does not alter the underlying security status, warning that synthetic products may be classified as security-based swaps. Solana has emerged as the dominant network for this activity, capturing over 95% of cross-chain tokenized equity volume in the first half of 2026. Total tokenized-asset volume on Solana reached $5.8 billion in the second quarter, representing a 114% increase over the previous quarter. Despite the record wallet counts, the data remains fragmented and requires caution, as it tracks addresses rather than unique individuals. Ultimately, the primary driver of this market is the demand for 24/7 stock exposure outside of traditional US exchange hours.

#Solana #TokenizedEquities #SEC

disruptionbanking.com·Aug 3, 20268.0

Real Estate

Denver Union Station Developer Bets On Tokenized Real Estate

Real estate developer McWhinney, now operating under the brand Realberry, is preparing its commercial property portfolio for on-chain tokenization despite current market stagnation in the sector. While the firm has developed over 15 million square feet of property, including Denver Union Station, it currently faces significant friction in liquidity, with transfer processes for private stakes often taking 60 days and costing $30,000 in administrative overhead. Chad McWhinney aims to replace traditional, manual partnership agreement amendments with tokenized ownership interests to allow investors to trade stakes via mobile devices. However, the broader tokenized real estate market remains small, with only $457 million in assets compared to the rapid growth of tokenized Treasuries and private credit. Industry experts note that most current models offer contractual economic exposure rather than direct title ownership, complicating the transition to true on-chain liquidity. The firm is currently awaiting regulatory clarity, specifically looking toward potential SEC innovation exemptions and the progress of the CLARITY Act in Congress. Ultimately, the success of this transition depends on whether the SEC provides a safe harbor for issuing and trading these securities without full, traditional registration.

#Tokenization #SEC #RealEstate

forbes.com·Aug 2, 20267.5

Infrastructure

US tokenization firm Securitize gets SEC adviser license

Securitize, a prominent firm specializing in the tokenization of real-world assets, has successfully registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This regulatory milestone allows the company to provide investment advisory services, marking a significant step in the institutional adoption of blockchain-based financial products. By securing this status, Securitize enhances its credibility and operational capacity to manage tokenized assets within the strict framework of U.S. securities laws. The move is particularly notable given the firm's role in high-profile projects, such as the issuance of BlackRock’s BUIDL fund on the Ethereum blockchain. This development signals a broader trend where tokenization platforms are increasingly aligning with traditional financial regulatory standards to attract institutional capital. As the RWA market matures, such registrations provide the necessary legal infrastructure to bridge the gap between decentralized finance and regulated investment vehicles. Ultimately, this registration reinforces the legitimacy of tokenized securities as a viable asset class for sophisticated investors.

#Tokenization #Securitize #SEC

techinasia.com·Jul 31, 20268.0

Infrastructure

SEC Chair: SEC Will Set Its Own Crypto Rules if Clarity Act Stalls

SEC Chair Paul Atkins has signaled that the agency is prepared to implement its own regulatory framework for digital assets if the Clarity Act fails to pass the U.S. Senate. While the bill successfully cleared the House with a 294-134 vote and passed the Senate Banking Committee 15-9, it has currently stalled without a floor vote. Atkins emphasizes that congressional legislation is preferable to agency rulemaking because statutes provide long-term stability that cannot be easily reversed by future administrations. To prepare for a potential legislative failure, the SEC has developed a 'Regulation Crypto' package, which is currently on the agency's 2026 agenda. This initiative includes proposed rules for token registration exemptions, custody standards, and a safe harbor for projects transitioning toward decentralization. The uncertainty surrounding the bill's passage creates significant regulatory risk for the RWA market, as the Clarity Act would shift jurisdiction over most digital commodities to the CFTC. Without this statutory clarity, the industry remains reliant on administrative guidance, such as the March joint guidance that classified 16 tokens as digital commodities. This ongoing regulatory ambiguity impacts how RWA protocols structure their operations and compliance frameworks.

#CFTC #SEC #DigitalAssets

Blockonomi·Jul 30, 20267.5

Infrastructure

Can the CLARITY Act secure a Senate vote before the August break?

The CLARITY Act is currently navigating a congested Senate legislative calendar, with its potential floor vote threatened by competing priorities like the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026. Despite these procedural hurdles, the bill has successfully cleared the House and the Senate Banking Committee, signaling significant bipartisan momentum for a unified digital asset framework. The latest draft consolidates various proposals into a single text, aiming to delineate SEC and CFTC responsibilities while establishing clear disclosure and certification standards for token issuers. This legislative effort is critical for the RWA market as it seeks to provide a streamlined fundraising exemption and regulatory certainty for institutional investors and issuers. However, the bill faces opposition from figures like New York Attorney General Letitia James, who warns that federal preemption could undermine established state-level consumer protections. The outcome of this debate will determine the future of U.S. digital asset oversight and the operational environment for tokenized real-world assets. If passed, the 180-day implementation period would provide the long-awaited clarity necessary for large-scale institutional adoption of blockchain-based assets.

#CFTC #SEC #DigitalAssets

AMBCrypto·Jul 28, 20267.5

Stocks

Tokenized Equities Put Market Infrastructure to the Test

Bob Cioffi of ION Markets highlights that the primary challenge for tokenized equities has shifted from technical issuance to seamless integration within existing institutional market infrastructure. While tokenization of bonds and funds has progressed, equities face unique hurdles regarding regulatory clarity, shareholder rights, and settlement finality. The potential repeal of SEC Rule 611 necessitates a shift toward judgment-based best-execution models, which must now account for both traditional and tokenized assets. Cioffi warns that isolated tokenized trading pools risk creating fragmented liquidity islands, undermining price discovery and execution quality. To achieve mainstream adoption, tokenized equities must operate within the same clearing, custody, and reconciliation ecosystems that institutions currently rely on. The industry must move away from batch-based processing toward continuous operation, which threatens to eliminate the traditional overnight 'quiet window' for reconciliation. Ultimately, success depends on industry-wide convergence on common operating standards for exception handling and dispute resolution to prevent the creation of inefficient parallel market structures.

#TokenizedEquities #SEC #MarketInfrastructure

tradersmagazine.com·Jul 28, 20267.5

U.S. Treasuries

Securitize builds Wall Street credentials with SEC adviser license as tokenization expands

Securitize Capital, a subsidiary of the tokenization specialist Securitize, has successfully registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment adviser. This strategic regulatory expansion significantly bolsters Securitize's capacity to serve a growing cohort of institutional investors keen on migrating traditional assets onto blockchain rails. The new license augments the firm's existing regulated operations, which already encompass a broker-dealer, an alternative trading system (ATS), a transfer agent, and fund administration services. This development is particularly pertinent given the ongoing regulatory scrutiny, with figures like SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce highlighting how certain crypto vaults and lending strategies might fall under investment adviser regulations. Securitize has already established itself as a key infrastructure provider, developing permissioned lending vaults with Euler that utilize tokenized assets such as VanEck's VBILL fund as collateral. The company's extensive partnerships with major asset managers, including BlackRock, Apollo, KKR, and VanEck, further underscore its pivotal role in the RWA market. Notably, Securitize issues BlackRock's BUIDL tokenized money market fund and collaborates with the New York Stock Exchange on tokenized securities trading infrastructure. This SEC registration provides a robust regulatory foundation, facilitating broader institutional adoption of onchain investment strategies within the evolving real-world asset tokenization landscape.

#Tokenization #Securitize #SEC

CoinDesk·Jul 27, 20267.5

#SEC

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