Crypto is taking center stage as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prepares to host a high-profile roundtable on May 12, focusing on the accelerating wave of tokenization in traditional finance. The event, dubbed “Tokenization — Moving Assets Onchain: Where TradFi and DeFi Meet,” aims to bring clarity to how blockchain technology could reshape capital markets and regulatory landscapes.
Power players from institutions like BlackRock, Fidelity, Nasdaq, and Robinhood will join Commissioner Hester Peirce at the SEC’s Washington, D.C. headquarters for discussions that explore both opportunities and challenges of integrating crypto assets into mainstream finance. The roundtable, streamed live, is expected to cover regulatory hurdles and the future trajectory of tokenized assets, marking a significant step in aligning decentralized finance (DeFi) with established financial frameworks.
Peirce underscored the importance of this dialogue, noting that “Tokenization is a technological development that could substantially change many aspects of our financial markets.” Her statement echoes the growing belief that blockchain and crypto tokens are not just trends but pivotal shifts shaping the next era of finance.
The agenda features two standout sessions: “Capital Markets 2.0,” led by legal expert Jeff Dinwoodie, and “The Future of Tokenization,” moderated by Tiffany Smith, both promising rich insights from legal scholars, crypto entrepreneurs, and asset managers. Topics include compliance strategies for tokenized assets and how to ensure innovation without sacrificing investor protection. To further understand the basics, check out this primer on what is tokenization and how it works.
In related developments, the SEC announced a rescheduled date for its upcoming decentralized finance roundtable. “DeFi and the American Spirit” has moved from June 6 to June 9, maintaining current registrations. These events come amid heightened collaboration between regulators and the fast-evolving crypto sector, demonstrating an intent to establish pragmatic guardrails for blockchain innovation.
Highlighting this trend, tokenization platform Ondo Finance recently presented a regulatory framework proposal to the SEC’s Crypto Asset Working Group, advocating for flexible relief mechanisms to support tokenizing U.S. securities. Such proposals signal that industry and government are open to creative solutions for integrating digital assets with legacy systems.
For more on the growing impact of blockchain in finance, explore how institutional investors are increasing their Bitcoin holdings and why major asset managers see crypto as a lasting force in global markets.
The SEC’s roundtable marks a critical inflection point: as crypto and traditional finance converge, the outcomes may define the next chapter of global capital markets.