The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is intensifying its focus on the evolving landscape of digital assets. As part of its ongoing efforts to engage with industry stakeholders and shape regulatory frameworks, the SEC’s Crypto Asset Working Group has announced two significant roundtable discussions:
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“Tokenization—On-Chain Assets: The Intersection of TradFi and DeFi” scheduled for May 12, 2025.
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“DeFi and the American Spirit” rescheduled to June 9, 2025.
These events aim to foster dialogue between traditional financial institutions, decentralized finance (DeFi) innovators, legal experts, and regulators to navigate the complexities of integrating blockchain technologies into the financial system.
May 12 Roundtable: Tokenization—On-Chain Assets
Overview
The roundtable titled “Tokenization—On-Chain Assets: The Intersection of TradFi and DeFi” will be held at the SEC headquarters in Washington, D.C., from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM ET. The event is open to the public and will also be webcast live on the SEC’s website .
Agenda and Participants
Opening Remarks (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET):
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Richard B. Gabbert, Chief of Staff, Crypto Task Force
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Chairman Paul S. Atkins (Keynote Address)
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Commissioner Caroline A. Crenshaw
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Commissioner Mark T. Uyeda
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Commissioner Hester M. Peirce
Panel 1: Evolution of Finance: Capital Markets 2.0 (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET):
Moderator: Jeff Dinwoodie, Cravath
Panelists:
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Cynthia Lo Bessette, Fidelity
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Eun Ah Choi, Nasdaq
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Will Geyer, Invesco
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Sandy Kaul, Franklin Templeton
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Robert Mitchnick, BlackRock
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Christine Moy, Apollo Management
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Johnny Reinsch, Tokenized Asset Coalition
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Christian Sabella, DTCC
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Alex Zozos, Superstate
Break (3:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET)
Panel 2: The Future of Tokenization (4:00 PM – 5:30 PM ET):
Moderator: Tiffany Smith, WilmerHale
Panelists:
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Hilary Allen, American University Washington College of Law
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Gene Hoffman, Chia Network
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Johann Kerbrat, Robinhood
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Kelly Mathieson, Canton
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Sidney Powell, Maple Finance
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Georgia Quinn, Securitize
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Joshua Rivera, Blockchain Capital
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Angela Walch, Independent Researcher
Objectives
The roundtable seeks to explore:
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The integration of tokenized assets into traditional financial markets.
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Regulatory considerations for tokenization.
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The potential of blockchain technology to enhance market efficiency and transparency.
Commissioner Hester M. Peirce emphasized the significance of tokenization, stating that it “could substantially change many aspects of our financial markets” .
June 9 Roundtable: DeFi and the American Spirit
Overview
Originally scheduled for June 6, the “DeFi and the American Spirit” roundtable has been rescheduled to June 9, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM ET at the SEC headquarters. The event will also be webcast live .
Focus Areas
While the agenda and panelists are yet to be announced, the roundtable aims to:
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Examine the principles of decentralization in finance.
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Discuss the regulatory challenges and opportunities presented by DeFi.
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Explore how DeFi aligns with American financial values and innovation.
Broader Context
These roundtables are part of the SEC’s broader initiative to engage with the crypto industry through a series of discussions aimed at informing regulatory approaches and supporting innovation. The Crypto Task Force, led by Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, has been instrumental in organizing these events to gather diverse perspectives on emerging technologies in the financial sector .
Conclusion
The SEC’s upcoming roundtables on tokenization and DeFi represent significant steps toward understanding and potentially integrating blockchain technologies into the U.S. financial system. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the SEC aims to foster a collaborative environment to navigate the complexities of digital asset regulation.
Note: For more information and to register for in-person attendance, please visit the SEC’s official website.
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