Blockchain technology holds promise for new market activities, according to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins. Speaking at a recent roundtable on tokenization and digital assets, Atkins emphasized the potential for novel use cases and market activities that current SEC rules may not cover. The SEC aims to establish a regulatory framework for crypto asset markets to provide clear guidelines for issuing, storing, and trading crypto assets while deterring unlawful activities. Atkins also plans to allow brokers to offer a wider range of investment products, including a mix of securities and non-securities. His approach marks a departure from the previous enforcement-focused strategy under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler. Atkins compared the tokenization of securities to the evolution of audio formats, highlighting the benefits of enhanced compatibility and interoperability. Major firms like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton have already ventured into tokenization, while Robinhood considers blockchain for European investors to trade tokenized US securities. Tokenized securities offer faster settlement times, reduced reliance on traditional infrastructure, and increased accessibility, attracting interest from various firms and brokerages. The tokenization trend extends beyond securities to real-world assets, with $22.6 billion worth of assets on-chain, excluding stablecoins. Stablecoins, backed by assets like treasury bills, have a market capitalization of $243 billion, with Tether’s USDT alone valued at $150.6 billion. The evolving landscape of securities tokenization presents opportunities for innovation and growth in the financial sector in India and globally.