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The SEC Rallies BlackRock, Nasdaq and Fidelity for Pivotal Tokenization Summit

The SEC brings together major financial firms to debate the shift of traditional assets onto blockchains, as regulators weigh how to address tokenization without overstepping in evolving digital markets.

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Hongji Feng

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Hongji Feng

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Hongji is a crypto and tech reporter. He graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a Bachelor's and a Master's. He has previously interned at HTX (Huobi Global),...

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Last updated:

May 4, 2025

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Key Takeaways:

The SEC will host a public roundtable on tokenization on May 12 to gather input on integrating blockchain-based assets with traditional financial systems.
The event is part of a broader effort by the SEC to inform regulatory policy as digital asset infrastructure evolves.
A separate DeFi-focused roundtable has been rescheduled for June 9.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the agenda and panelists for its upcoming roundtable on tokenization, scheduled for May 12 in Washington, D.C.

According to a release published on May 5, the event will be led by Commissioner Hester Peirce and the SEC’s Crypto Task Force.

Wall Street Weighs In on Tokenized Finance

Titled “Tokenization — Moving Assets Onchain: Where TradFi and DeFi Meet,” the session will feature two panel discussions. The first, moderated by Cravath’s Jeff Dinwoodie, includes representatives from BlackRock, Nasdaq, Invesco, Franklin Templeton, and other institutions exploring tokenized finance.

A second panel will focus on long-term implications and legal frameworks, with input from firms including Robinhood, Securitize, and Blockchain Capital.

The roundtable follows the SEC’s broader initiative to gather public input on emerging crypto technologies through a series of events.

“Tokenization is a technological development that could substantially change many aspects of our financial markets,” Peirce said. “I look forward to hearing ideas from our panelists on how the SEC should approach this area.”

Separately, the SEC has rescheduled its June roundtable “DeFi and the American Spirit” to June 9. The agency says these discussions are intended to inform future rulemaking and guide regulatory strategy around digital assets.

🏛️ SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda affirms SEC’s crypto focus has shifted to principle-based rulemaking from enforcement actions. #SEC #CryptoRegulations https://t.co/13acr4DKJJ
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) April 24, 2025

SEC Ends Case Against Crypto Influencer

The SEC has formally ended its legal proceedings against Ian Balina, a crypto influencer charged in 2022 for promoting unregistered securities.

In a joint court filing dated May 1, the SEC and Balina agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice, preventing it from being reopened. The dismissal also included termination of an interlocutory appeal tied to the matter.

Balina was previously been found in violation of U.S. securities laws for promoting the SPRK token during its $30 million initial coin offering in 2018.

The SEC alleged that he failed to disclose his financial compensation while endorsing the token on YouTube and Telegram, a breach of Section 17(b) of the Securities Act.

A federal judge sided with the agency’s interpretation, determining that the SPRK token qualified as a security under the Howey Test.

The case drew attention for its implications around influencer accountability in the digital asset space. While the SEC secured an initial ruling, the eventual dismissal indicates a shift in enforcement strategy following recent legal setbacks and changes in leadership priorities.

The agency has recently dropped or narrowed several high-profile crypto cases amid increasing calls for clearer regulatory frameworks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How do traditional financial institutions view tokenized assets?

Firms like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton are exploring tokenization as a way to improve operational efficiency and reach new investor bases. Their involvement suggests a convergence between conventional finance and blockchain infrastructure, not just ideological alignment.

How could tokenization impact retail investors?

Tokenization could eventually give retail investors access to previously illiquid or high-barrier assets, such as private equity or real estate. But questions remain about access, fees, and whether these products will be subject to the same scrutiny as public securities.

Is this roundtable likely to lead to new rules?

Not immediately. These sessions are designed to gather perspectives, but they help shape future regulatory priorities—especially in areas where formal rulemaking has lagged behind industry experimentation.