Nasdaq wants to authorize tokenized securities on Wall Street

Nasdaq has officially filed a request with the SEC to authorize trading of shares and ETPs in tokenized form. A breakthrough that could disrupt Wall Street and accelerate the integration of blockchain into traditional financial markets.

Tokenized securities, Nasdaq initiates an official procedure

On Monday, Nasdaq filed a major proposal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

Its objective is clear: to amend its trading rules to authorize the exchange of listed shares and exchange-traded products, not only in their traditional form but also in a tokenized version, directly on its main market.

This approach continues the regulatory agenda recently published by the SEC, which already plans to adapt its rules to allow the listing of cryptocurrencies on national exchanges. Thus, Nasdaq’s proposal fits into a broader movement to revise the American regulatory framework.

Furthermore, in an interview published on Nasdaq’s website, Chuck Mack, Senior Vice President of Strategic Operations, specified that these adjustments would offer members and investors the opportunity to trade shares and ETPs in tokenized form. A reform presented as a decisive step towards a new era of integration between traditional finance and blockchain.

Moreover, Nasdaq stresses the preservation of existing regulatory safeguards. The stated goal is to modernize market infrastructure by leveraging the advantages of blockchain without weakening investor protection.

A financial ecosystem in full transformation

Tokenization attracts attention far beyond Wall Street. Coinbase has already requested authorization to offer tokenized shares, while Bank of America and Citigroup are also exploring the subject. Institutional investors see it as a way to streamline global liquidity.

However, not everything is guaranteed. The World Economic Forum warns against two major obstacles: a lack of liquidity in the secondary market and the absence of a clear international standard. The World Federation of Exchanges calls for caution, citing the risk of systemic imbalances.

For regulators, the line is thin. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce reminds that tokenized securities cannot bypass existing laws. Nasdaq is aware of this: it insists that these instruments will only be considered equivalent to their traditional counterparts if they confer the same economic and political rights.

In short, Nasdaq opens a decisive breach in the history of financial markets. If the SEC approves its proposal, the first tokenized securities could launch by the end of 2026. Between promises of efficiency and regulatory concerns, this breakthrough illustrates Wall Street’s strategic shift towards a more digital finance. The coming months will be crucial to see if this ambition becomes reality.