Nasdaq Anticipates SEC Approval for Tokenized Stocks Within This Year

Nasdaq's Proposal for Tokenized Stocks: Nasdaq is prioritizing the launch of tokenized stocks and has submitted a proposal to the SEC to list digital versions of publicly traded shares, aiming for on-chain settlement and blockchain-based ownership in the U.S. equities market.

Integration with Existing Systems: Nasdaq's head of digital assets strategy emphasized that the goal is not to overhaul Wall Street's infrastructure but to integrate tokenization within the current regulatory framework, allowing stock tokens to coexist with traditional trading systems.

Diverse Opinions on Tokenization: The concept of tokenized equities has sparked debate, with supporters highlighting benefits like 24/7 trading and faster settlement, while critics express concerns that these advantages may primarily benefit traditional markets rather than the crypto sector.

Next Steps with the SEC: Nasdaq is awaiting the SEC's review of public comments before proceeding, with the approval process likely involving multiple rounds of questions, as the SEC remains cautious about digital representations of real-world assets and their regulatory implications.