In a notable shift from its long-standing enforcement-first approach, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has begun engaging directly with blockchain developers to explore regulatory-compliant frameworks for tokenised securities.
Last week, the SEC’s Crypto Task Force held a private meeting with several Ethereum-aligned organisations, discussing how blockchain standards like ERC-3643 and Chainlink’s Automated Compliance Engine (ACE) could be used to bring regulated capital markets onchain.
A historic moment for Ethereum.
Together with @erc3643, @chainlink, @lfdecentralized , @Etherealize_io we joined the SEC Crypto Task Force to educate about the importance of standards.
Ethereum doesn’t spend billions in marketing. We’re the standard builders. We’re the tech
The closed-door meeting signals the SEC’s increasing interest in standardised technical frameworks as a bridge between decentralised finance and traditional financial regulation.
SEC meets ERC-3643, Chainlink Labs, and Ethereum Alliance
The meeting featured representatives from the ERC-3643 Association, Chainlink Labs, the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, and the Linux Foundation’s Decentralised Trust initiative.
Discussions centred on two tools built to serve regulatory needs: ERC-3643, an Ethereum-based token standard with built-in identity and access control features, and Chainlink’s ACE, a framework designed to automate compliance processes for tokenised assets.
ERC-3643 differs from other Ethereum token standards in that it is designed specifically for regulated markets.
Its architecture allows for programmable compliance features, which are essential for financial instruments such as real-world assets and tokenised securities.
These features include modules for enforcing identity verification, access restrictions, and jurisdictional compliance — critical for meeting US securities laws.
Chainlink’s ACE complements ERC-3643 by enabling smart contracts to automatically run compliance checks.
This helps ensure that transactions and asset transfers meet relevant legal requirements, making it easier for financial institutions and issuers to deploy tokenised assets on public blockchains without violating regulations.
No policy commitment yet, but tone marks shift
While the SEC did not make any binding policy announcements during the meeting, the invitation and engagement signalled a notable change in attitude.
The interaction comes after months of behind-the-scenes discussions between blockchain stakeholders and US regulators.
This is the first time in years that the SEC has proactively invited such groups to present tools designed for compliant tokenisation.
Observers pointed out that the meeting marked a break from the agency’s past posture, where most of its crypto-related actions were focused on enforcement.
The SEC has previously shown scepticism toward decentralised platforms operating outside the existing regulatory perimeter.
The move to directly examine technologies like ERC-3643 and Chainlink ACE indicates an interest in developing a structured framework for bringing traditional assets onto blockchains using open standards.
Innovation exemption under consideration
The meeting follows earlier comments from SEC Chair Paul Atkins, who confirmed that the agency is exploring an “innovation exemption” that could allow tokenised securities to be traded under new models.
While Atkins did not reference the meeting directly, he reiterated the SEC’s forward-looking position, saying, “If it can be tokenised, it will be tokenised.”
The concept of an innovation exemption would allow blockchain projects and financial institutions to pilot tokenised securities under specific guidelines, potentially bypassing some of the current regulatory hurdles.
This could pave the way for broader adoption of blockchain in areas such as bond issuance, equity trading, and securitised loans.
Such exemptions, if implemented, would likely rely on the kind of programmable compliance features found in ERC-3643 and ACE.
The combination of identity-verified token issuance and smart contract-based legal enforcement could give regulators more confidence in allowing digital assets to operate within existing financial systems.
Industry awaits next steps
Although no formal commitment has been made, the SEC’s recent actions suggest that it is more open than before to engaging with the crypto industry on technical and regulatory alignment.
For Ethereum developers, legal experts, and financial institutions seeking to bridge on-chain and off-chain markets, the meeting is a signal that their work may soon find regulatory recognition in the US.
As tokenisation becomes a growing focus globally, with jurisdictions such as the UK, Singapore, and the EU advancing frameworks for digital assets, the SEC’s willingness to explore technical standards marks a potential inflection point in US crypto policy.
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