The U.S. SEC Talks Tokenization: Finance 2.0 on the Table
As the lines between TradFi and DeFi blur, the U.S. SEC opens its doors—to listen.
On this page
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is bringing Wall Street’s heaviest hitters and crypto’s most persistent builders into the same room. On May 12, the agency will host a roundtable on one of the most contentious but promising trends in digital finance: tokenization.
The subtitle says it all—“Where TradFi and DeFi Meet.”
Set inside SEC headquarters in Washington D.C., the event will feature a lineup of representatives from:
- Fidelity,
- Nasdaq,
- BlackRock,
- Franklin Templeton
- Apollo,
- Chia Network,
- Robinhood,
- and more.
But more than the names, it’s the framing that’s drawing attention. This isn’t an enforcement action or a rule proposal. It’s a conversation. And it’s being led by Commissioner Hester Peirce, long seen as one of the agency’s few crypto-sympathetic voices.
Tokenization is a technological development that could substantially change many aspects of our financial markets. I look forward to hearing ideas from our panelists on how the SEC should approach this area,
Peirce said in a statement.
From Regulation by Lawsuit to Regulation by Dialogue
The roundtable is part of a broader series launched in March by the SEC’s newly formed Crypto Task Force. After years of tension—marked by high-profile lawsuits, unclear classifications, and turf battles—this marks a shift in tone.
Previous sessions have tackled asset categorization, crypto trading infrastructure, and custody. Now, the SEC is asking the markets to weigh in directly on tokenization—arguably the most “institutional” of crypto's innovations.
The agenda splits the day into two thematic blocks:
- 1:00–3:30 p.m.: “Capital Markets 2.0”
Moderated by Cravath’s Jeff Dinwoodie, this panel includes voices from Fidelity, Nasdaq, Invesco, Franklin Templeton, and BlackRock—firms already experimenting with tokenized treasuries and onchain fund rails. - 4:00–5:30 p.m.: “The Future of Tokenization”
A deeper dive into legal infrastructure and potential use cases, featuring Chia Network’s Gene Hoffman, Robinhood’s Johann Kerbrat, and Maple Finance’s Sidney Powell, among others.
The entire session is open to the public and will be livestreamed—another gesture toward transparency, in stark contrast to the SEC’s historically opaque approach to crypto oversight.
Between Tools and Tactics: The Case for Tokenization
Outside the marble walls of the SEC, the crypto community is already debating the stakes. Some see the roundtable as a watershed. Others, a distraction.
Contract developer @z0r0zzz framed the discussion in technolegal terms.
Tokenization is a good topic to consider from the perspective that tokens will be used to preserve uniqueness and provenance of all content. It will be useful against counterfeit or generative AI works. DeFi allows all content to be used by markets,
they posted.
In a follow-up, they warned against regulatory overreach.
The mere ability to access things that traditionally were not very financial… shouldn’t imply duties or promises beyond what is marketed. We need to separate the incidentals of the medium from intent.
But not everyone is on board.
“Tokenization = scamming,” wrote Bitcoin-only commentator @GhostofWhitman, echoing a sentiment common among maximalists who see tokenized assets as unnecessary abstractions.
For them, Bitcoin’s simplicity is the point—and everything else is misdirection.
What the SEC Stands to Learn
Beyond panel discussions, this event functions as a stress test—for both industry and regulators.
- Can public capital markets support tokenized products without sacrificing investor protection?
- Are stablecoin-backed rails and tokenized ETFs a gateway to efficiency—or systemic risk?
- Will DeFi participants even accept a regulatory framework built on TradFi assumptions?
Tiffany Smith of WilmerHale, moderating the final panel, will face a room full of industry veterans with strong views on both sides. Meanwhile, Peirce’s Crypto Task Force is building a public record that could shape future policy—especially if Congress stalls on comprehensive legislation.
What’s clear is that the SEC is no longer just reacting to crypto. With this roundtable, it’s asking a different question: not whether tokenization will redefine asset movement, but how to govern that shift without smothering it.
The content on The Coinomist is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content. Neither we accept liability for any errors or omissions in the information provided or for any financial losses incurred as a result of relying on this information. Actions based on this content are at your own risk. Always do your own research and consult a professional. See our Terms, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers for more details.
Articles by this author
