US commodities regulator expands guidance on blockchain and tokenised assets

WASHINGTON, 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has updated its frequently asked questions on crypto assets and blockchain technologies to provide additional clarity for registrants and registered entities.

The updated guidance clarifies that authorised companies can invest customer funds in tokenised versions of permitted assets, provided the tokenised form grants holders the same or functionally equivalent legal and economic rights as the traditional asset. The CFTC stated it would not object to companies using blockchain-based systems to satisfy their recordkeeping requirements. This guidance builds on previous Staff Letters 25-39 regarding tokenised collateral and 26-05 concerning digital assets accepted as margin collateral.

CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig said the update was consistent with the agency’s ongoing efforts to provide greater regulatory clarity for the crypto industry. The move comes as the CFTC continues to address how digital assets and blockchain technologies can be used within regulated markets. The original guidance was released in March 2026, and the latest changes aim to integrate these technologies into existing frameworks rather than treating them as a separate digital asset ecosystem.

For Malaysian and regional market participants, this development signals a shift in how global financial frameworks are adapting to tokenisation and distributed ledger technology. By focusing on the use of blockchain within existing financial market infrastructure, the CFTC’s stance may influence how regional institutions approach digital asset integration.

The clarification on tokenised investments and blockchain-based recordkeeping helps market participants understand how these technologies can operate within established financial processes, potentially reducing regulatory uncertainty for firms looking to adopt these tools in their operations.

Related: CFTC · Michael S. Selig