A recent regulatory roundtable hosted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is sending ripples through the digital asset industry, following a series of unusually candid remarks by top officials and institutional stakeholders.
According to a detailed breakdown posted by @XRP_investing on X (formerly Twitter), the event could signal a significant evolution in how digital assets—including XRP and stablecoins—are regulated in the United States.
SEC Acknowledges Regulatory Uncertainty Around Crypto Assets
SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins admitted that crypto issuers continue to operate in a climate of legal ambiguity, particularly when determining whether a token qualifies as a security.
His statement echoes the central legal argument advanced by Ripple Labs in its ongoing litigation with the SEC over the classification of XRP.
More notably, Atkins criticized the agency’s historical approach, acknowledging what he described as a “shoot first, ask questions later” model of enforcement.
He committed to moving away from ad hoc enforcement actions in favor of systematic policy-making, suggesting a possible end to regulation by enforcement—a practice heavily criticized by the crypto industry for its unpredictability.
Stablecoins Positioned as Financial Infrastructure, Not Hype
The discussion also turned to stablecoins, which are rapidly becoming integrated into mainstream financial workflows. Johnny Ranch of the Tokenized Asset Coalition made a striking claim: “Stablecoins are slowly becoming the world’s checking account.”
His comments reflect the growing use of dollar-pegged assets like USDC and USDT in both retail payments and institutional settlements.
Christine Moy, head of Digital Assets at Apollo Global Management, echoed this sentiment, advocating for the use of stablecoins in settling tokenized securities—an increasingly hot topic among financial service providers seeking greater efficiency in clearing and settlement systems.
Regulatory Breakthroughs on Crypto Custody
One of the most impactful announcements from the session came on the topic of crypto custody. Atkins confirmed that the rescission of Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB 121) removes a major obstacle that had previously discouraged banks and custodians from handling digital assets.
This policy reversal opens the door for large institutions to enter the custody space, potentially boosting confidence among institutional investors.
The move is seen as a crucial step toward building the infrastructure needed for mass adoption of tokenized financial instruments, including tokenized treasuries and real-world assets.
Hester Peirce: Tokenization Now a Policy Priority
Commissioner Hester Peirce, often referred to as “Crypto Mom” for her consistent support of digital asset innovation, reaffirmed that tokenized assets fall under the SEC’s jurisdiction.
She stated that formal guidance is forthcoming and emphasized that tokenization is now a core regulatory focus. Her remarks further validate the rising importance of on-chain financial products and could signal the development of tailored frameworks to govern them.
BlackRock Calls for Legal Parity Across Asset Classes
Robbie Mitchnik, Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock, emphasized the need for regulatory parity, asserting that digital securities should be treated the same as their traditional counterparts.
This reflects a growing push within legacy finance for unified legal standards that accommodate innovation without compromising investor protection.
Mitchnik’s comments carry weight, particularly as BlackRock continues to expand its digital asset offerings, including tokenized money market funds and digital bond products.
A Turning Point for Ripple and the Broader Market?
For XRP holders and Ripple supporters, the roundtable offered cautious optimism. Though the SEC-Ripple case is not entirely over at this time, the agency’s acknowledgment of past overreach and the expressed intent to create broader policy frameworks suggest a more constructive tone is emerging.
Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the SEC has become a symbolic touchstone for the entire crypto industry. Any shift toward regulatory clarity could have major implications not only for XRP but also for how digital assets are launched, sold, and used within U.S. jurisdictions.
Conclusion: Policy Signals, Not Speculation
The SEC’s latest roundtable may not have resolved crypto’s regulatory gray zones overnight, but it has laid out policy intentions that mark a departure from past enforcement-first strategies.
With stablecoins gaining legitimacy, tokenized assets entering the mainstream, and institutional custodians being invited into the fold, the next chapter of crypto regulation appears to be one of engagement rather than antagonism.