Securitize COO Sonnenshein Talks About the Changing Landscape of Crypto: Lawsuits Dropped, SEC Takes Notice

According to Michael Sonnenshein, Chief Operating Officer of Securitize, the U.S. crypto industry has reached a pivotal moment, thanks in part to the White House’s involvement.

In a recent interview on Bloomberg TV, the former CEO of Grayscale highlighted the noticeable shift in the Biden administration’s approach to the crypto space, contrasting it with that of the Trump administration, which had a more collaborative stance towards innovation as opposed to the current emphasis on enforcement.

“It really is night and day,” Sonnenshein remarked. “Crypto was still operating under a regime of regulation by enforcement. Now, lawsuits have been dropped, the White House has appointed a head of crypto, and the SEC has formed a task force that is actively collaborating with businesses.”

He noted that this refreshed regulatory environment is paving the way for the swift rise of tokenized real-world assets. Securitize, which boasts the largest tokenization platform to date, has managed to bring approximately $2.5 billion worth of assets—from treasuries to public equities—onto public blockchains like Ethereum and Polygon.

Sonnenshein underscored that tokenization extends beyond mere blockchain hype; it’s about enhancing the investor experience by providing daily dividends, instant liquidity, and 24/7 access—benefits that are typically not found in “traditional financial products,” as he pointed out.

He highlighted the firm’s collaboration with BlackRock on the BUIDL tokenized treasury fund as a notable example, emphasizing its capacity for real-time redemptions and its integration into DeFi ecosystems.

As the market for tokenized treasuries and equities grows, Sonnenshein anticipates that this momentum will carry on throughout the year.

Securitize is reporting growth rates exceeding 500% in the tokenized treasury sector alone, achieving significant milestones such as the tokenization of Exodus, a publicly traded company.

Looking forward to transitions in SEC leadership, Sonnenshein highlighted the necessity of ongoing dialogue.

“If we’re aiming to broaden access to RWAs or reassess definitions of accredited investors, collaboration with regulators is crucial,” he stated.