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Nasdaq Gains SEC Approval for Tokenized Trading

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has approved Nasdaq’s proposal to enable trading and settlement of certain securities in tokenized form, marking a significant step toward integrating blockchain technology into traditional equity markets.

The initiative will allow investors to trade selected stocks either as conventional shares or as digital tokens settled via blockchain infrastructure. Initially, eligible securities will include stocks from the Russell 1000 Index and major exchange-traded funds tracking benchmarks like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100.

The move reflects growing interest among exchanges in tokenization, as regulatory conditions for digital assets continue to evolve. Nasdaq’s approach aims to combine the efficiency of blockchain settlement with the structure of regulated financial markets.

SEC Drops Case Against Winklevoss-Founded Gemini

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has agreed to dismiss its enforcement case against cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, founded by billionaire twins Tyler Winklevoss and Cameron Winklevoss, after investors in its lending programme recovered their assets in full.

The SEC and Gemini filed a joint stipulation in federal court in Manhattan on Friday, citing the complete return of crypto assets to Gemini Earn investors through the Genesis Global Capital bankruptcy process between May and June 2024.

In 2023, the SEC charged Genesis and Gemini Trust Company with illegally selling securities via the Gemini Earn programme, which allowed customers to lend crypto assets to Genesis in exchange for interest. At its peak, the programme held about $940 million in assets before Genesis froze withdrawals in November 2022.

Unlike several crypto firms that collapsed after the 2022 market downturn, Genesis ultimately returned customers’ crypto in kind rather than liquidating assets and paying cash. The SEC said this full recovery made dismissal of the claims appropriate, while stressing the decision does not set a precedent for other cases.

The move reflects a broader shift in U.S. crypto enforcement under President Donald Trump, who has pledged a more industry-friendly regulatory approach. Gemini did not immediately comment on the dismissal.

T. Rowe Price Enters Crypto Market with First Multi-Coin ETF Filing

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T. Rowe Price has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch its first cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund (ETF), marking the $1.77 trillion asset manager’s long-awaited entry into digital assets.

The actively managed ETF would offer exposure to five to fifteen cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, ether, solana, dogecoin, and Shiba Inu, according to the filing. Portfolio managers would aim to outperform the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index, using a mix of fundamental, valuation, and momentum-based analysis to decide which assets to hold and how to weight them.

“This is a surprise move for such a late entrant,” said Bryan Armour, ETF analyst at Morningstar. “But T. Rowe Price appears to be targeting something differentiated to stand out in a crowded space.”

While dozens of asset managers have raced to launch single-coin ETFs, multi-asset crypto funds remain rare due to regulatory complexity and the volatility of altcoins. If approved, the T. Rowe Price fund would be among the first diversified crypto ETFs in the U.S.

The filing underscores T. Rowe’s efforts to diversify beyond traditional mutual funds, which have suffered persistent outflows. The firm has introduced 24 ETFs in recent years and recently partnered with Goldman Sachs to develop new private market products for retail investors. As part of the deal, Goldman plans to buy up to 3.5% of T. Rowe’s shares, an investment that could exceed $1 billion.

T. Rowe has been quietly building its digital asset expertise, hiring Blue Macellari, a former crypto hedge fund executive, as head of digital assets strategy in 2022.

ETF industry experts said the launch reflects a broader institutional shift. “It’s exciting to see T. Rowe expand beyond equities and bonds,” said Todd Rosenbluth of VettaFi.

However, the timing remains uncertain. The SEC faces a government shutdown that has slowed approvals, despite new listing standards paving the way for multi-coin ETFs.

If approved, the T. Rowe Price crypto ETF could signal a new era of mainstream digital asset investing from one of America’s most established financial firms.