SEC Division of Trading and Markets launches Innovation Exemption website
by@SECGov
Summary
Last week, the SEC's Division of Trading and Markets launched an Innovation Exemption website, designed to provide resources such as FAQs and contact information related to the September 2026 exemptive order for tokenized securities venues. This initiative is part of the SEC's broader efforts to clarify regulatory guidance for prospective tokenized securities venues, which includes operational requirements established in their recent FAQs.
Analysis
SEC: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is the primary federal regulator of securities markets, tasked with protecting investors and facilitating capital formation. It issued the Innovation Exemption order in September 2026 granting temporary relief for tokenized securities trading venues. Chairman Paul S. Atkins described the measure as a step toward modernizing markets for onchain activities. SEC Division of Trading and Markets: The SEC Division of Trading and Markets oversees regulation of securities market participants including broker-dealers, exchanges, and clearing agencies. It recently established the Innovation Exemption website providing FAQs, a list of Tokenized Securities Venues, and contact details tied to the related exemptive order. Director Jamie Selway has highlighted the division's role in advancing tokenization initiatives through this framework. Regulatory Guidance: SEC staff issued FAQs in October 2026 clarifying notice and operational requirements under the Innovation Exemption for prospective tokenized securities venues. Innovation Initiative: The SEC Division of Trading and Markets launched an Innovation Exemption website in October 2026 to support the September 2026 exemptive order for tokenized securities venues.
Categories
cryptopolitics
Related sources
- https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/atkins-innovation-exemption-bridge-toward-durable-rulemaking-091726
- https://www.sec.gov/about/divisions-offices/division-trading-markets/innovation-exemption
- https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026-90-sec-issues-innovation-exemption-facilitate-trading-tokenized-nms-stock-request-comment
- https://www.sec.gov/about/divisions-offices/division-trading-markets
- https://www.sifma.org/advocacy/letters/sec-innovation-exemption-for-tokenized-nms-stocks-and-distributed-ledger-trading-venues
- https://dart.deloitte.com/USDART/home/news/all-news/2026/oct/sec-faqs-nms-stocks
- https://x.com/SECGov/status/2115097110286831948
- https://www.freewritings.law/2026/10/sec-staff-of-the-division-of-trading-and-markets-issues-faqs-on-the-innovation-exemption/
- https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/uyeda-statement-innovation-exemption-091726
- https://www.sifma.org/news/press-releases/sifma-urges-sec-to-resolve-key-questions-on-innovation-exemption-before-tokenized-securities-venues-launch
- https://www.troutman.com/insights/sec-innovation-exemption-opens-path-to-onchain-trading-of-listed-stock-subject-to-issuer-objection/
- https://www.gibsondunn.com/securities-enforcement-2026-mid-year-update/
- https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/whats-new
- https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/selway-remarks-market-structure-conference-101426
- https://shertremonte.com/2026/10/22/client-alert-fall-2026-update-on-sec-and-cftc-enforcement/