SEC nears tokenized stock exemption as Coinbase eyes U.S. launch
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has moved closer to allowing tokenized stock trading as industry participants expect a new regulatory exemption that could support upcoming offerings from crypto firms, including Coinbase. SummarySEC is reportedly preparing an innovation exemption that could permit tokenized stock trading in the U.S.Coinbase plans to launch 1:1-backed tokenized shares as regulatory discussions advance.CoinGecko data shows tokenized stocks grew more than 3,300% between 2024 and 2026. According to a Reuters report citing lawyers and market analysts, SEC Chair Paul Atkins is expected to introduce an innovation exemption that would allow companies to test blockchain-based financial products under a modified regulatory framework. The proposal comes as several crypto firms prepare tokenized equity products that would let users trade shares around the clock with near-instant settlement. As reported by crypto.news, Coinbase has already disclosed plans to launch tokenized stocks backed one-for-one by underlying shares, while Binance and other exchanges have expanded similar offerings outside the United States. Under the framework being discussed, tokenized shares could carry the same economic rights as traditional equities, including dividend payments and voting privileges. The expected exemption follows earlier reports that the SEC had delayed efforts to permit tokenized equities after raising concerns about investor protection standards and