SEC Issues Innovation Exemption to Facilitate Trading of Tokenized NMS Stocks
The SEC issued an innovation exemption on Sept. 17, 2026, to facilitate onchain trading of tokenized NMS stocks and opened a public comment period.
Senior Markets Correspondent
Sec
WASHINGTON — The Securities and Exchange Commission issued an innovation exemption on Sept. 17, 2026, designed to facilitate the trading of certain tokenized National Market System (NMS) stocks while simultaneously opening a public request for comment on the framework.
Strategic Context
The regulatory action represents a direct step by the commission to accommodate digital asset technology within existing market structures. According to the SEC announcement published on Sept. 17, 2026, the initiative is intended to bring America's capital markets into the digital age by permitting onchain trading for eligible equities while operating within the agency's statutory authority.
Forward Outlook
Market participants, exchange operators, and financial institutions must review the specific terms of the innovation exemption and prepare feedback during the comment period. Operators evaluating onchain settlement and tokenized equity rails should monitor subsequent commission guidance and regulatory filings to determine compliance requirements for secondary market execution.
Elena Vasquez
Senior Markets Correspondent
Covers Treasuries, the dollar, and the policy signals that reprice risk assets.
