SEC Closes Ondo Finance Probe Without Charges, Clearing Path for RWA Tokenization
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has closed its multi-year investigation into Ondo Finance’s tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) and the ONDO governance token without filing charges. The probe, opened in 2023 to determine whether Ondo’s tokenized equities, bonds and other on‑chain RWAs and the ONDO token qualified as unregistered securities, was ended after a shift in SEC leadership and enforcement stance. Ondo reported over $500 million in tokenized assets under management by late 2024, while industry trackers show RWA tokenization exceeded $10 billion in TVL by early 2025. Traders should note the removal of a major regulatory overhang that may enable Ondo and similar platforms to expand U.S. market access, accelerate product launches (tokenized stocks, bonds) and boost liquidity in on‑chain RWA markets. The decision also offers greater clarity on the regulatory treatment of governance tokens like ONDO, reducing legal tail risk for related token listings and secondary-market activity. Primary keywords: Ondo Finance, ONDO token, RWA tokenization, SEC probe, tokenized equities.
Bullish
Closing the SEC probe without charges removes a significant legal overhang for Ondo Finance and by extension for similar RWA tokenization platforms. Short term, the news should be supportive for ONDO token market sentiment because legal risk has declined, reducing investor uncertainty and potentially increasing buying pressure around listings and secondary-market activity. Medium-term effects include greater likelihood of product launches (tokenized stocks and bonds) and renewed efforts to expand U.S. offerings, which could increase demand and on‑chain liquidity for RWA products and governance tokens. The resolution also signals a softer enforcement posture that may attract institutional participation in regulated RWA issuance. Offsetting factors: macro crypto market conditions and overall risk appetite will still influence price action; the effect on ONDO specifically depends on tokenomics, circulating supply, and whether the team announces new U.S.-facing products or partnerships. Overall, the balance of effects points to a bullish impact on ONDO and related RWA tokens, with stronger upside in the medium term if product rollouts and market access materialize.