Key Highlights
- Securitize gets EU approval to operate a regulated tokenized trading and settlement system on Avalanche.
- First issuance under the new system is expected in early 2026, targeting institutional investors.
- Approval allows Securitize to run full market infrastructure, linking EU and US tokenization operations.
Securitize, a tokenization platform backed by BlackRock, has secured full regulatory approval to operate a tokenized trading and settlement system across the European Union. The firm is planning to power the new trading platform using Avalanche blockchain.
The approval, granted on 26 November 2025 by Spain’s securities regulator CNMV under the EU’s DLT Pilot Regime, allows Securitize to become the only company licensed to run tokenization infrastructure in both the EU and the United States.
The use of Avalanche underlines Securitize’s bet on a blockchain that offers fast settlement and institutional‑grade architecture, a foundation that could help bring real-world assets on‑chain at scale.
Approval enables full EU market infrastructure
With this approval, Securitize moves beyond its earlier role as a broker‑dealer, transfer agent and alternative trading system. Now, it will own and operate the full market infrastructure for tokenized securities, handling issuance, trading, and settlement under a regulated framework across all 27 EU member states.
With the CNMV license, Securitize can now directly offer a unified on‑chain environment, akin to what traditional markets get via centralized exchanges and depositories, but with blockchain’s speed and flexibility. The firm noted that it expects the first regulated tokenized issuance under this new system to go live in early 2026.
For institutions and investors, this means a regulated and potentially more efficient path to invest in, trade, and settle digital versions of equity, debt, funds, or other securities. It could also lower costs, reduce settlement risk and increase liquidity.
Why Avalanche and why now
Choosing Avalanche to build a pan-European trading platform marks Securitize’s strategic move. In the past, the firm already used Avalanche for tokenizing certain real-world asset funds, and for clients such as funds managed by major asset managers.
Given growing institutional interest in tokenization, from funds to real estate, to private debt and equities, the timing of this approval could mark a turning point for blockchain adoption in capital markets.
From sandbox to full licence
Securitize has a track record in both the US and Europe. In the US, it already operates as a registered broker‑dealer, digital transfer agent, fund administrator and alternative trading system.
In December 2024, the firm received an “Investment Firm” licence from CNMV, allowing it to execute orders, hold assets in custody and manage tokenized securities for investors across the EU.
That licence was later “passported” to several major EU jurisdictions, including Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
But while that earlier licence allowed Securitize to handle tokenized assets, the new approval takes a bigger step, it enables the company to run the entire market infrastructure, a regulated trading venue and settlement system — on‑chain.
This formally validated infrastructure could make tokenization more attractive for institutions that have been waiting for regulated, compliant frameworks rather than experimental pilots.
Assuming Securitize launches its first issuance in early 2026, we may soon see institutional‑grade tokenized funds, bonds, equities or other asset‑backed securities being issued and traded on-chain under full EU regulation.
Also Read: Polymarket Gets CFTC Approval for Regulated U.S. Trading Access
