SEC issues new crypto guidance as Robinhood moves toward weekend trading

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued updated staff guidance regarding the application of federal securities laws to digital assets. The updated FAQs clarify that certain activities, such as token buybacks on functional and decentralized networks or routine maintenance of a crypto system, may not necessarily constitute an investment contract under the Howey test. The agency emphasized that these views are non-binding staff interpretations and do not amend existing law.

In a related regulatory development, the SEC has granted a five-year exemption allowing certain exchanges to offer tokenized versions of stocks. This move is expected to benefit major players like Coinbase and Robinhood as the market for tokenized traditional assets is projected to grow significantly by 2030.

Separately, Robinhood announced plans to expand its trading capabilities by offering weekend trading for a curated selection of U.S. stocks and ETFs. Partnering with Bruce ATS, the brokerage aims to provide 24/7 market access similar to the cryptocurrency model. The feature is currently pending regulatory review and could launch as early as next year.