SEC’s 2025 Crypto Roundtable Focuses on RWA Tokenization.
The U.S. SEC’s May 13, 2025, roundtable highlighted the shift of real-world assets (RWAs) to blockchain, emphasizing opportunities (liquidity, efficiency, transparency) and regulatory challenges. SEC Chair Paul Atkins stressed the need for adaptable frameworks to classify assets, redefine custody rules, and address DeFi compliance. Commissioner Crenshaw cautioned against instant settlement risks, advocating balanced solutions. Discussions covered TradFi-DeFi convergence, requiring global regulatory harmony to avoid arbitrage. Stakeholders—TradFi institutions, DeFi protocols, investors—face hurdles like interoperability and compliance clashes. The SEC plans pilot programs for tokenized assets (e.g., real estate) and global coordination. By 2030, tokenized RWAs could comprise 5–10% of global assets if regulations balance innovation and investor protection.
