Ondo Finance Requests SEC to Delay Nasdaq's Tokenized Stocks Plan

Key Points:* Ondo Finance requests SEC to delay Nasdaq’s tokenized securities proposal.

• Transparency concerns cited by Ondo Finance over DTC’s settlement system.
• No public response from Nasdaq or DTC at this time. Ondo Finance has formally requested the U.S. SEC to delay or reject Nasdaq’s tokenized securities proposal, citing inadequate transparency around the Depository Trust Company’s post-trade settlement system.

The lack of transparency raises concerns about competitive imbalances and investor protections in the emerging tokenization market, potentially impacting future regulatory approvals and market confidence.

Ondo Challenges Nasdaq’s Tokenized Securities Proposal

Ondo Finance recently called upon the U.S. SEC to either delay or reject Nasdaq’s latest proposal on tokenized securities trading. The primary concern hinges on what Ondo describes as a lack of transparency regarding Nasdaq’s post-trade settlement system, specifically involving the Depository Trust Company (DTC). Without public information on how DTC will operate the blockchain-based settlement, Ondo argues that regulators and investors cannot adequately assess the proposal.

If approved, tokenized stocks will be traded alongside traditional stocks, settling via DTC’s new blockchain system. Ondo’s demands highlight concerns over competitive fairness and transparency, urging more open standards in the execution of tokenized trading. Nasdaq had initially submitted its proposal for SEC approval on September 8th, with a potential decision expected before the year’s end.

Ondo Finance’s actions draw attention to broader market implications, notably advocating for transparent detailing about DTC’s settlement system. Nasdaq has not publicly responded to these concerns; however, the SEC is reviewing the submission and Ondo’s objections could potentially impact the approval timeline. Peter Curley, Head of Global Regulatory Affairs at Ondo, raised issues regarding access to DTC’s tokenization framework and possible competitive imbalances. Peter Curley has emphasized the importance of open collaboration in financial advancements, stating, “Tokenization is ushering in the next era of financial innovation and access, and should advance through open collaboration and transparent standards.”

Regulatory Hurdles and Ethereum’s Recent Market Performance

Did you know? In the past, delays occur in regulatory approvals for blockchain-integration proposals when infrastructure details remain undisclosed, echoing concerns now seen with Nasdaq’s tokenized securities initiative.

According to CoinMarketCap, Ethereum (ETH) last traded at $3,863.50, reflecting a 1.16% decline over 24 hours. ETH dominates 12.87% of the cryptocurrency market, with a $56.88 billion volume in the past day. Price change figures highlight a 2.93% rise over seven days but a notable 16.41% decline over 30 days.

Ethereum(ETH), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 01:55 UTC on October 18, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap Coincu’s analysis suggests that regulatory challenges in the integration of tokenized securities into mainstream financial infrastructures may heavily influence future developments. The ongoing discourse surrounding transparency and operational standards is likely critical in shaping subsequent regulatory frameworks.