Securitize Expands with SEC Adviser License as Tokenization Grows

Securitize, through its subsidiary, Securitize Capital, has registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This license broadens the firm's range of regulated operations and enables it to collaborate closely with asset managers and institutional investors interested in onchain investment strategies.

The registration aligns with the evolving regulatory environment, where regulators are increasingly scrutinizing how traditional securities rules apply to new digital investment products. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce recently noted that certain crypto vaults and lending strategies might come under investment adviser regulations depending on their structure and management.

Vaults, which are a major segment of decentralized finance (DeFi), allow users to deposit cryptocurrencies into smart contracts that automatically allocate capital across various lending markets and yield-generating strategies. As of now, curated vaults hold approximately $8.6 billion in assets, highlighting their growing appeal beyond the DeFi space to more traditional platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood.

Securitize currently partners with notable asset managers, including BlackRock, Apollo, KKR, and VanEck. The firm issues BlackRock’s BUIDL tokenized money market fund and is developing infrastructure for tokenized securities trading in collaboration with the New York Stock Exchange. Recently, Securitize went public under the ticker SECZ; however, its share price has seen a significant decline of nearly 40% through July.

The new investment adviser registration strengthens Securitize’s position in the rapidly changing landscape of tokenized assets and investment strategies. With increasing interest from institutional investors in blockchain-based products, the firm is well-placed to provide necessary infrastructure and regulatory compliance support.