SEC Clears Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana As Commodities Under Nasdaq Texas Rule Change
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has given approval to a rule modification on the Nasdaq that pertains to investment products involving cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and XRP were designated as digital commodities by the order that have the exchange’s current eligibilit
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has approved a rule modification for Nasdaq that formally designates Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, and Solana as digital commodities under the exchange's existing eligibility requirements. The decision was issued under SEC Order No. 34-106268 and applies specifically to investment products tied to these four cryptocurrencies listed on Nasdaq's Texas-based exchange operations. The move represents a formal regulatory acknowledgment of the commodity status of these major digital assets within the framework of Nasdaq's listing rules.
The classification of cryptocurrencies as either securities or commodities has been a prolonged and contentious regulatory debate in the United States. The SEC has historically taken an aggressive stance toward classifying many digital assets as securities, while the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has maintained jurisdiction over assets it considers commodities. The approval of this rule change signals a notable shift in how the SEC is approaching the categorization of major cryptocurrencies, particularly in the context of exchange-listed investment products.
The ruling carries significant implications for the broader crypto industry, as formal commodity designations can open pathways for additional regulated investment products and reduce legal uncertainty for exchanges, issuers, and institutional participants. Assets classified as commodities generally face a different, and often less restrictive, regulatory framework than those deemed securities.
Market participants and legal observers will be watching closely for any further guidance from the SEC regarding how this classification may influence future enforcement actions, ETF approvals, or broader digital asset legislation currently under consideration in Congress.
Source: CoinGape
