Nasdaq OKs Tokenized Equities Move
Tim Warren reported SEC approval enabling tokenized equities on Nasdaq, with DTC‑selected blockchains (e.g., CC/ETH) allowing Citadel/Jane Street‑style firms to trade on‑chain — a structural change that could shorten settlement timelines and open new execution venues. The announcement points to accelerating institutional adoption of on‑chain trading rails. (x.com)
SEC published Release No. 34‑105047 on March 18, 2026, formally approving Nasdaq’s amended filing SR‑NASDAQ‑2025‑072 that sets the regulatory framework for trading securities in tokenized form. (sec.gov) The SEC approval is explicitly conditioned to operate during the pendency of The Depository Trust Company’s three‑year tokenization pilot that received staff no‑action relief on Dec. 11, 2025. (dtcc.com) DTC’s no‑action letter confines the pilot to pre‑approved blockchains and requires DTC to publish a public list of supported networks and technical standards before onboarding participants. (jdsupra.com) Institutions that opt in must register one or more “Registered Wallets” with DTC, and DTC will screen those addresses for OFAC and other compliance requirements before registration. (mayerbrown.com) Nasdaq’s equity token design, announced March 9, 2026, positions issuers at the center of tokenized ownership and complements SR‑NASDAQ‑2025‑072, which Nasdaq first filed on Sept. 8, 2025 and later amended. (nasdaq.com) (listingcenter.nasdaq.com) Nasdaq must provide at least 30 days’ notice to the market before tokenized trading can commence, and actual on‑chain settlement will not begin until DTC’s limited production infrastructure is fully established (DTC expects to begin roll‑out in the second half of 2026). (biggo.com) (dtcc.com)
