The U.S. cryptocurrency sector has reached a pivotal moment, thanks in part to the support from the White House, as noted by Securitize’s Chief Operating Officer, Michael Sonnenshein.
In a conversation on Bloomberg TV, the former CEO of Grayscale highlighted the clear shift in the administration’s approach to the cryptocurrency sphere. While the Biden administration has adopted a stance characterized by regulatory actions, the prior Trump administration seemed more inclined toward fostering innovation through collaboration.
“The difference is striking,” Sonnenshein remarked. “Previously, the crypto space was managing under a framework of regulation by enforcement. Now, lawsuits are being dismissed, the White House has appointed a crypto liaison, and the SEC has established a task force that is actively engaging with companies.”
He stated that this evolving regulatory environment is facilitating the swift emergence of tokenized real-world assets. At Securitize, which boasts the largest tokenization platform to date, the company has already integrated nearly $2.5 billion in assets—spanning from treasuries to public stocks—onto widely used blockchains like Ethereum and Polygon.
Sonnenshein underscored that tokenization goes beyond mere blockchain enthusiasm, emphasizing its role in enhancing the investor experience with features such as daily dividends, instantaneous liquidity, and round-the-clock access—advantages that traditional financial products do not provide.
He cited the company’s collaboration with BlackRock on the BUIDL tokenized treasury fund as a standout example, highlighting its capacity for real-time redemptions and functionality within DeFi platforms.
As tokenized treasuries and equities proliferate, Sonnenshein anticipates continued growth throughout the year.
He mentioned that Securitize is witnessing growth rates surpassing 500% specifically in tokenized treasuries, alongside achieving notable milestones like the tokenization of Exodus, a publicly listed company.
Looking towards the future with the SEC undergoing a leadership change, Sonnenshein emphasized the necessity of ongoing communication.
“To broaden access to real-world assets or reconsider the definitions for accredited investors, collaboration with regulators will be crucial,” he stated.