#SIFMA

U.S. SEC to again delay 'innovation exemption' for tokenization amid Wall Street, White House concerns

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has indefinitely delayed its anticipated innovation exemption, a policy designed to streamline the trading of tokenized securities on blockchain rails. This decision follows significant pressure from the White House and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), who raised concerns regarding the proposal's legal foundation and potential market impact. The White House reportedly fears that unilateral regulatory relief could interfere with ongoing congressional negotiations surrounding the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. Meanwhile, SIFMA has challenged the SEC's use of exemptions to implement structural market changes, arguing that such shifts require a formal, transparent notice-and-comment process. Industry participants are particularly concerned about how decentralized trading venues and automated market makers align with existing Regulation NMS requirements, specifically regarding best execution obligations. Despite the delay, major institutions like the DTCC continue to test tokenized infrastructure, reflecting the broader industry push to modernize financial markets. With Citi analysts projecting a $5.5 trillion market for tokenized assets by 2030, the regulatory uncertainty remains a critical bottleneck for institutional adoption. The SEC's cancellation of a planned Friday meeting underscores the ongoing tension between fostering blockchain innovation and maintaining established securities market integrity.

CoinDesk·2h ago