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As crypto trading platforms race to deploy AI agents, here's what a Nasdaq executive is seeing

What happened

The SEC approved Nasdaq's pilot program to trade tokenized versions of stocks and ETFs on its platform. The program allows Nasdaq to test blockchain-nexstar-closes-62b-tegna-deal-despite-state-lawsuits.html" class="story-link" title="Eight States Sue to Block Nexstar’s $6.2 Billion Deal for Tegna, Which Is Suppor">states...">based securities trading while staying within existing regulatory frameworks. This comes as the SEC simultaneously creates a new enforcement team targeting auditing violations.

Why people care

This marks a significant step toward mainstream adoption of blockchain technology in traditional securities markets. Nasdaq's approval could pave the way for other major exchanges to tokenize assets, potentially reshaping how stocks are traded and settled.

The takes

Crypto supporters say

This approval represents long-awaited regulatory clarity and legitimization of tokenized securities. Major exchange adoption could bring efficiency gains, faster settlement times, and lower costs to traditional markets through blockchain technology.

Skeptics say

The pilot's limited scope within existing market rails suggests tokenization may offer minimal practical benefits over current systems. The simultaneous creation of new SEC enforcement teams signals continued regulatory scrutiny that could limit broader crypto integration.

Sources