CFTC Clarifies Rules for Tokenized Assets, Blockchain Recordkeeping
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued new guidance on tokenized assets, clarifying how regulated firms can use them in their operations. According to the CFTC, tokenized assets that provide rights equivalent to traditional assets can be used by firms, as long as they continue to meet custody and customer fund protection requirements.
The regulator also stated that blockchain systems can satisfy official recordkeeping requirements under existing CFTC rules, but public blockchain users must maintain backup controls to ensure records remain available during outages or network disruptions.
The guidance follows the Senate's failure to advance the CLARITY Act, which aimed to establish a federal structure for digital assets and grant new authority over crypto spot markets. The CFTC has continued to issue guidance and policy updates for the crypto market, building on its previous March 2026 guidance on tokenized collateral, margin assets, and recordkeeping.
Chairman Michael S. Selig said the updated guidelines support the agency's effort to provide clearer regulatory direction for the crypto industry.