DTCC Wins SEC Approval for Tokenized Assets, Boosting Chainlink’s Role

The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has received regulatory clearance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to begin operating a controlled tokenization service for traditional financial assets, a move that could significantly accelerate blockchain adoption in capital markets. According to an official press release, DTCC’s subsidiary, the Depository Trust Company (DTC), obtained a rare SEC No-Action Letter, allowing it to run a production tokenization initiative for a three-year period.

The tokenization service is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026 and will enable DTC to issue and manage blockchain-based versions of traditional securities on approved Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks. Initially, the program will focus on a limited range of highly liquid assets to ensure stability and regulatory oversight. These include equities listed in the Russell 1000 index, major index-tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and U.S. government debt instruments such as Treasury bills, notes, and bonds.

DTCC President and CEO Frank La Salla emphasized that tokenizing U.S. securities could unlock major efficiencies, including enhanced collateral mobility, new trading mechanisms, round-the-clock market access, and programmable financial assets. Access to the service will initially be restricted to DTC participants and their clients, ensuring the pilot remains closely monitored.

SEC No-Action Letters are uncommon, and their issuance often signals a more flexible regulatory approach toward blockchain-based financial services. Industry analysts see this approval as a positive indicator for broader institutional adoption of tokenized assets in the United States.

One of the biggest potential beneficiaries of DTCC’s tokenization plans is Chainlink. In 2024, Chainlink partnered with DTCC and several major U.S. banks to explore the tokenization of traditional investment funds. DTCC previously completed its Smart NAV pilot using Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), which streamlined the secure sharing of net asset value data across multiple blockchains. This pilot is widely viewed as a foundational step toward the upcoming production launch.

DTCC’s leadership has publicly stated that Chainlink’s technology plays a critical role in modernizing settlement infrastructure and enabling interoperable blockchain systems. With demand for blockchain-based financial products surging and monthly transaction volumes recently surpassing $1.4 billion, DTCC’s SEC approval marks a major milestone for tokenization—and positions Chainlink at the center of this institutional shift.