TLDR
- DTCC’s SEC approval enables tokenization of traditional securities, including ETFs and Treasury bonds.
- Chainlink’s partnership with DTCC enhances blockchain interoperability for financial markets.
- DTCC’s new tokenization service could transform collateral mobility and market access.
- The SEC approval marks a critical step in integrating blockchain technology into mainstream finance.
The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has received approval from the U.S. SEC to tokenize traditional assets, marking a significant step toward integrating blockchain into mainstream finance. This move will allow DTCC’s subsidiary, DTC, to offer a tokenization service for major U.S. securities starting in 2026. Chainlink’s partnership with DTCC, which began in 2024, positions the company to play a crucial role in this digital transformation of financial markets.
DTCC Receives SEC Approval for Tokenizing Traditional Assets
The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has received a major boost with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approval to begin tokenizing traditional assets. Through its subsidiary, Depository Trust Company (DTC), the firm will provide tokenization services for select real-world assets starting in the second half of 2026. This approval from the SEC allows DTC to create digital tokens of highly liquid assets like the Russell 1000 stocks, U.S. Treasury securities, and major index-tracking ETFs.
DTCC’s tokenization service aims to bring the benefits of blockchain technology to traditional financial markets. By enabling digital versions of these assets, the corporation ensures that tokenized assets will carry the same investor protections and entitlements as their traditional counterparts. The tokenized assets will also benefit from the same level of security, resilience, and reliability that DTC offers in conventional markets.
How Chainlink Plays a Key Role in the Tokenization Process
Chainlink, a leading decentralized oracle network, stands to gain significantly from this SEC-approved initiative. In 2024, Chainlink collaborated with DTCC and a group of major U.S. banks to pilot the tokenization process through its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol. This collaboration is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring smooth data sharing across different blockchain networks.
DTCC’s Chief Technology Officer, Dan Doney, emphasized the importance of Chainlink’s role in modernizing financial settlement systems. Chainlink’s integration allows seamless communication between various blockchains, which is vital for the future success of tokenized assets. As DTCC progresses with its tokenization plans, Chainlink’s infrastructure will be instrumental in providing the interoperability needed for smooth market operations.
SEC Approval Opens the Door for Tokenized Securities
The SEC’s No-Action Letter enables DTCC to launch a controlled production environment for tokenizing assets, starting with a select group of high-liquidity financial instruments. This initiative will include stocks listed in the Russell 1000, prime ETFs, and U.S. government debt securities such as Treasury bills, bonds, and notes.
The approval will allow market participants to benefit from blockchain’s unique features, such as mobility, decentralization, and programmability. These features will provide new trading opportunities, access to assets around the clock, and automated processes through smart contracts. DTCC’s role in ensuring the safety and security of these tokenized assets will be critical as the market moves toward digital solutions.
DTCC’s Vision for a Digital Future
DTCC’s initiative is not only about launching a tokenization service but also about laying the groundwork for a digital asset ecosystem that connects traditional and decentralized finance (DeFi). By leveraging its ComposerX suite of platforms, DTCC aims to create a unified liquidity pool that spans both TradFi and DeFi markets. This initiative could significantly improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of financial transactions.
Brian Steele, DTCC’s Managing Director and President of Clearing & Securities Services, pointed out that the goal is to ensure seamless interoperability between traditional and blockchain-based financial systems. With this in mind, DTCC’s tokenization service will evolve over time to include more assets and expand its functionality, strengthening the digital transformation of financial markets.





