NYSE President says exchange felt ‘responsibility’ to enter tokenization space

Finance Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email NYSE President says exchange felt ‘responsibility’ to enter tokenization space The exchange is expected to launch 24/7 trading of tokenized assets later this year. By Helene Braun Feb 18, 2026, 3:58 p.m. Make us preferred on Google NYSE President Lynn Martin speaking on stage at the World Liberty forum. (CoinDesk) What to know : New York Stock Exchange President Lynn Martin said the exchange felt a responsibility to engage in tokenization as blockchain-based finance gains momentum. The NYSE has developed tokenization technology and is working with regulators to determine how tokenized assets can fit within the existing financial framework. The exchange is preparing a blockchain-powered platform that could allow 24/7 trading of tokenized stocks and ETFs later this year, though it has not given a specific launch date or detailed plan. PALM BEACH, Fla. — Facing pressure from the growing momentum behind blockchain-based finance, New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) President Lynn Martin said she felt a “responsibility” to get involved in tokenization. “We’ve felt the responsibility to enter into the tokenization conversation,” Martin said at the World Liberty forum in Palm Beach Wednesday. The exchange has already developed its tokenization technology and is working with regulators to understand how it can be used within the existing financial framework, she said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW Don't miss another story. Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today . See all newsletters Sign me up By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk products and you agree to our terms & conditions and privacy policy . Tokenization refers to turning real-world assets like stocks or bonds into blockchain-based tokens, with the potential for faster settlement, round-the-clock trading, and more programmable financial products. “We’ve learned from challenges,” Martin said, referencing past stress points in traditional markets related to liquidity and stability. “We’re applying those learnings.” While the crypto ecosystem has long operated on a 24/7 basis, the NYSE is preparing to launch a blockchain-powered platform later this year that would enable around-the-clock trading of tokenized stocks and ETFs, if regulators sign off, straying away from its traditional 6.5 hour, five-day-a-week trading window. The exchange has not provided a launch date or detailed plan as of press time. "It's a moment we have to seize as regulators," Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Michael Selig said on the same panel. While previous administrations had "discouraged" development of new tools and products, Selig said, "I want that to be very clear, we stand ready to build with the incumbents, new entrants, old technologies, new technologies." NYSE More For You Zoomex: Precise Systems of Fairness and Transparency by Design By CoinDesk Jan 31, 2026 Commissioned by Zoomex Read full story More For You Bitwise aims to offer prediction market ETFs for U.S. elections in 2026 and 2028 By Jamie Crawley | Edited by Stephen Alpher 1 minute ago Under "Prediction Shares" branding, Bitwise filed to list two ETFs tracking prediction markets betting on the outcome of the 2028 presidential election. What to know : Bitwise Asset Management wants to offer a prediction markets for the next U.S. presidential election through ETFs. The San Francisco-based crypto asset manager filed to list two ETFs tracking prediction markets betting on the outcome of the 2028 election. Bitwise also listed four equivalent products for 2026 mid-terms, predicting Democratic and Republican wins in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Read full story Latest Crypto News Crypto Long & Short: Crypto’s liquidity mirage 1 minute ago Bitwise aims to offer prediction market ETFs for U.S. elections in 2026 and 2028 1 minute ago Bitcoin's plunge signals coming AI crisis, but massive Fed response will drive new record high: Arthur Hayes 46 minutes ago Hyperliquid starts DeFi lobbying group with $29 million token backing 54 minutes ago Tokenized pre-IPO shares topic ignites legal debate at Consensus Hong Kong 2026 54 minutes ago Canary lists spot SUI ETF with staking rewards 1 hour ago Top Stories American crypto holders are scared and confused about this year’s new IRS tax rules 2 hours ago XRP Ledger rolls out members-only DEX for regulated institutions 3 hours ago From 2016 hack to $150M Endowment: the DAO’s second act focuses on Ethereum security 3 hours ago Bitcoin holds near $68,000 as volatility cools, WLFI jumps ahead of Mar-a-Lago forum 4 hours ago Peter Thiel's Founders Fund dumps every ETHZilla share 9 hours ago Bitcoin ETFs hold billions despite price crash, but resilience masks harsh reality 9 hours ago