SEC Chair Atkins: Tokenization and on‑chain settlement fit change US finance for few years

SEC Chair Paul Atkins tell Fox Business sey tokenization and blockchain‑based settlement fit change U.S. finance for just few years. Tokenization — wey mean make stocks, bonds and funds become programmable tokens for distributed ledgers — dey promise faster on‑chain settlement, tighter settlement windows, fractional ownership, automated corporate actions and better auditability. Atkins tok say tokenized traditional securities go still dey under existing securities laws, but collectibles, commodities and purely functional tokens normally no dey pass Howey Test. SEC dey plan "innovation exemption" to allow controlled trials of early token models, showing dem dey shift from tight enforcement to enabling experimentation under U.S. rules make crypto activity come onshore. E mention privacy tools (including zero‑knowledge proofs) and platforms wey fit enable quick, low‑cost settlement — e even mention XRP Ledger as possible candidate for tokenized rails. Atkins say regulators and industry dey run pilots and near‑term regulatory clarity, custody solutions, interoperability and governance na priorities to move tokenized assets from pilots into core market infrastructure. For traders: expect more institutional involvement, small steady liquidity improvements for tokenized assets, possible demand for compliant token rails, and focus on assets and platforms wey meet securities compliance and custody standards.