Paul Atkins Backs Stock Tokenization Amid Push By Robinhood And Kraken

As crypto firms turn their gaze to tokenized versions of US securities, SEC Chair Paul Atkins has signaled regulatory support. Going forward, the SEC will roll out guidance to support stock tokenization, tagging it as “innovation” capable of changing the landscape for securities.

Paul Atkins Declares Support For Tokenized Stocks

In a CNBC interview, US SEC Chair Paul Atkins has confirmed that the securities watchdog will advance the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA). Atkins described tokenization as “innovation,” pledging that the SEC will turn its focus to providing regulatory clarity for the concept.

According to Atkins, the SEC has previously stood in the way of tokenization innovation with its regulation-by-enforcement strategy and unclear rules. He argues that tokenization is the next step to achieving market efficiency and guaranteeing trade settlement.

“My whole goal is to make things transparent from the regulatory aspect and give people a firm foundation on which to innovate and come up with new products,” said the SEC Chair.

For the SEC, the lowest hanging fruit is stock tokenization, with the Commission giving the green light for firms to explore the offering. Furthermore, the concept of tokenized stocks has formed the basis of multiple roundtables by the SEC’s Crypto Task Force.

Apart from stock tokenization, Paul Atkins confirmed that the SEC is eyeing the tokenization of access to private credit and private companies. In addition, the SEC Chair is mulling over the benefits of improved liquidity, global access, and heightened efficiency. Armed with new regulatory clarity, Joseph Lubin has disclosed plans to tokenize SharpLink Gaming’s S-Bet Stock.

Robinhood And Kraken Unveil Stock Tokenization Offerings

The new stance by the SEC and Paul Atkins has opened the floodgates for a wave of crypto firms keen on exploring stock tokenization products. Robinhood announced that it will begin offering tokenized versions of US stocks to users in Europe, leaning on Arbitrum for issuances. Robinhood confirmed plans for its incoming layer-2 blockchain on Arbitrum for stock issuances.

Last week, Gemini partnered with RWA startup Dinari to tokenize equity shares, adding to the laundry list of crypto companies. Furthermore, Kraken announced its XStocks platform, turning to Solana to tokenize a select group of US securities.

Ondo Finance and Coinbase have thrown their hat into the ring for stock tokenization following a new stance by Paul Atkins and the SEC. Coinbase is seeking the SEC’s approval to offer tokenized stocks to its users, pledging to comply with US capital market rules.