CFTC Updates Crypto Guidance as Tokenized Assets Hit $46B

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has updated its crypto-related FAQs to give regulated firms more clarity on the use of tokenized assets and blockchain technology. 

The update, released on September 24, 2026, covers customer funds invested in tokenized permitted investments and the use of blockchain for recordkeeping.

.@CFTC Staff Releases Updates to FAQs Concerning Registrants and Registered Entity Activities Relating to Crypto Assets and Blockchain Technologies: https://t.co/tv5lxpk74X

— CFTC (@CFTC) September 24, 2026

The new guidance focuses on two areas that are becoming more important as financial firms bring traditional assets onto blockchains. One is the use of tokenized forms of permitted investments for customer funds. The other is using blockchain technology to keep records required under CFTC rules. 

How tokenization works

Tokenization involves representing an asset or related ownership rights as a digital token recorded on a blockchain. The asset can still be linked to a traditional financial asset, but its ownership or movement can be recorded digitally. 

The CFTC update explains how this type of technology can fit into activities already covered by its rules. 

CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig welcomed the update. In the official release, he said “I’m pleased to see staff update these frequently asked questions consistent with the agency’s ongoing efforts to provide regulatory clarity for the crypto industry.” 

The FAQs were first released on March 20, 2026. They were created to answer questions from registrants and registered entities dealing with crypto assets and blockchain technology.

The original guidance also followed CFTC Staff Letter 25-39, known as the Tokenized Collateral Guidance, and Staff Letter 26-05, which provided a staff no-action position involving digital assets accepted as margin collateral. 

Tokenized assets reach $46B

Meanwhile, tokenized real-world assets continue to grow. According to data from Token Terminal, tokenized RWAs reached $46 billion in market capitalization as of September 24, 2026. 

The figure represents a cumulative increase of 5,343.8% from the earlier baseline levels shown in its charts.

Funds made up the biggest part of the market at $34.7 billion, representing 75.5% of the total. Commodities followed with $7.7 billion, or 16.8%, while tokenized stocks accounted for $3.5 billion, equal to 7.7% of the market.

The numbers show where most of the tokenized asset market currently sits, while the latest CFTC and SEC actions show regulators working through how blockchain-based assets can operate within existing financial rules.

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