Update for XRP Holders: SEC Just Dropped A Major Crypto Rule Proposal

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a major rule proposal on September 1, 2026.

Former Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett quickly highlighted it, reporting that the SEC is updating its decades-old transfer agent rules to account for blockchain technology and tokenized securities.

The regulations the proposal targets have not seen substantial updates since the late 1970s and early 1980s. She noted the move marks another step in the agency’s push to bring U.S. securities markets onchain.

The Proposal in Detail

Transfer agents maintain the official ownership records for securities. Under the current rules, those records must be kept in traditional formats. This proposal changes that. It would allow transfer agents to use blockchain as the official record of ownership.

The SEC’s press release confirmed the scope. The proposal “would amend existing rules and forms, would rescind a rule, and would introduce new rules that apply to registered transfer agents and their activities.” Firms would also be required to report which blockchain platforms they use and how many tokenized securities they service.

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, well-known for his pro-crypto stance, addressed the significance directly. He stated that the proposal would “streamline and modernize the Commission’s rules to reflect transfer agents’ current processes and operations, including the use of electronic communications and blockchain technology in connection with securities offerings and the transfer of shares.”

XRP and the Tokenized Future

XRP and the XRP Ledger have long been positioned for exactly this type of institutional use case. The XRP Ledger is built for fast, low-cost settlement and has native functionality that supports tokenized assets. If transfer agents begin operating on blockchain rails, XRP Ledger becomes a strong candidate for that infrastructure.

Ripple has spent years building institutional payment and settlement products. A regulatory environment that formally recognizes blockchain as a legitimate record-keeping system removes another barrier those products have faced. Legitimacy at the regulatory level translates directly into adoption potential.

Jamie Selway, Director of the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets, stated: “This proposal is another important step in Chairman Atkins’ efforts to advance our regulatory framework for the modern era.”

The Public Comment Window Is Open

The proposal will be published in the Federal Register. The public comment period runs for 60 days after that publication date. The final rule is not yet set, but the direction is clear. The SEC and CFTC have expressed their desire to push regulation with or without the CLARITY Act, and the commission is now moving U.S. securities markets toward blockchain infrastructure.