thecryptobasic.com
The U.S. SEC has officially closed its two-year investigation into Ondo Finance without recommending charges.
This move marks one of the latest reversals of a Biden-era action against a digital asset firm. Notably, the probe went live in October 2023 under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler. It focused on whether Ondo violated securities laws while tokenizing U.S. Treasuries and whether its ONDO token should be treated as a security.
Meanwhile, the company said regulators notified Ondo in late November that they had closed the case. The decision fits into the regulatory shift under pro-crypto SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, who has wound down most crypto investigations and reversed several high-profile cases involving firms such as Ripple, Coinbase, and Kraken.
Tokenization Takes Center Stage at the SEC
Notably, the end of the Ondo probe arrives as tokenization becomes a front-and-center topic for U.S. financial regulators. At last week’s SEC Investor Advisory Committee meeting, the agency highlighted how blockchain-based infrastructure could streamline the issuance, trading, and settlement of public equities.
“The tokenization of financial assets, including securities, has the potential to transform our capital markets,” Chairman Atkins said during the session. The SEC’s renewed interest further confirms a change from enforcement to innovation.
Ondo Prepares for U.S. Expansion
With the regulatory cloud lifted, Ondo says it is now cleared to accelerate its U.S. growth strategy. The firm recently registered as an investment advisor and acquired Oasis Pro Markets, a broker-dealer and ATS operator registered with the SEC. This positions Ondo to expand its tokenized asset offerings with a fully compliant U.S. structure.
The company is also gearing up for its annual Ondo Summit, scheduled for February 3 in New York. Expectations are high that Ondo will unveil new tools and products to advance real-world asset tokenization.
Avalanche’s Institutional Momentum
The broader tokenization narrative continues to build across the industry. Major financial institutions, including BlackRock, JP Morgan, Citi, and Dinari, have been deploying tokenized assets on Avalanche.
As the SEC repositions and firms like Ondo gain regulatory clearance, the next phase of U.S. tokenization appears ready to accelerate.