The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is preparing to dramatically reshape the trading landscape by allowing stocks to be traded on blockchain networks—a move that signals Wall Street’s accelerating adoption of digital asset technology.
Informed sources reveal that SEC teams are developing a plan to enable equities to operate “like cryptocurrencies,” unlocking faster settlements, lower transaction costs, and extending market hours to a true 24/7 cycle. The sweeping strategy is a central component of Project Crypto, a modernization agenda launched by SEC Chair Paul Atkins this August to bring U.S. financial infrastructure on-chain.
Crypto-Native Pioneers Lead the Charge
Crypto industry leaders are already vying for pole position. Coinbase has sought direct approval to list U.S. stocks on blockchain infrastructure, while Robinhood has launched tokenized equities trading for its European users. Their efforts highlight a growing belief that blockchain rails are the next frontier for the equity markets.
With SEC authorization, platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood could cement a first-mover advantage, while the looming regulatory transformation is expected to incentivize traditional Wall Street titans to explore tokenization under a clear ruleset.
Unifying Markets, Catalyzing Innovation
Under Atkins’ leadership, the SEC’s roadmap includes updating crucial regulations around custody, trade clearance, and market systems to accommodate tokenized assets. Another ambitious pillar is the facilitation of “super apps”—integrated platforms allowing users to seamlessly trade cryptocurrencies, tokenized stocks, bonds, and DeFi products under a unified regulatory regime.
In parallel, the SEC is preparing to introduce an “innovation exemption,” anticipated by December, that would grant crypto firms a fast track to launch new products—dispensing with some legacy regulatory hurdles that have historically stifled on-chain financial innovation.
Looking outward, Atkins has positioned the U.S. as a serious contender for global digital asset leadership, referencing the EU’s MiCA framework as an inspiration for crafting agile and competitive crypto regulations.
For fintech players and institutional investors alike, the SEC’s fresh approach signals a future where traditional and digital assets coexist—traded around the clock, with speed and transparency on decentralized systems.
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