Ondo Finance has completed the first live onchain deployment of third-party tokenized U.S. securities under a structure designed to operate within the existing U.S. regulatory framework.

According to Ondo Finance, the deployment brings shares of BlackRock’s iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and Micron Technology (MU) onto the Ethereum blockchain while keeping the underlying securities inside the traditional U.S. custody system.

The company said the rollout coincides with July 4, when the United States celebrates 250 years of independence, and represents its first live implementation of this issuance model.

SEC-aligned structure keeps traditional custody intact

Unlike many tokenized stock offerings launched outside the United States, Ondo said its model follows the third-party custodial framework outlined in a January 2025 staff statement from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Under that structure, the underlying IVV and Micron shares remain with regulated custodians instead of moving onto a blockchain.

Ondo said its registered transfer agent, Oasis Pro, issues Ethereum-based tokens backed 1:1 by the underlying shares. Financial infrastructure company Broadridge manages shareholder communications, proxy voting, and regulatory disclosures, allowing token holders to receive the same shareholder rights as investors holding the securities through traditional U.S. brokerage accounts.

Discussing the rollout, Ondo Finance CEO Ian De Bode said the milestone demonstrates the company’s approach to issuing tokenized securities within existing U.S. regulatory requirements.

“Ondo has built the regulatory, product, and service infrastructure to support all major models within the United States. Today’s milestone shows we can tokenize securities in ways that satisfy both market and regulatory requirements.”

The company noted that the product is not yet available to U.S. investors and is currently intended for eligible international users outside the country.

Tokenized securities race gathers momentum

The launch comes as regulated tokenized securities continue to attract investment across financial markets. As previously reported by crypto.news, Ondo Finance recently partnered with Exodus Movement to introduce Exodus Markets, enabling eligible users in selected jurisdictions to trade more than 200 tokenized stocks, exchange-traded funds, and real-world assets through the Exodus self-custodial wallet on the Solana blockchain.

Competition in the sector has also intensified following Securitize’s public listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker SECZ after its SPAC merger with Cantor Equity Partners II. Backed by BlackRock and Morgan Stanley, the company became the first publicly traded tokenization platform.

Questions over shareholder rights have remained a major issue for tokenized equities. The debate intensified in mid-2025 after OpenAI stated that it had not authorized Robinhood’s tokenized product linked to its shares and clarified that the tokens did not represent equity ownership in the company. The incident increased calls for clearer regulatory standards governing tokenized securities.

Ondo said its issuance framework addresses those concerns by routing token creation through a registered transfer agent while preserving the conventional custody chain, a structure the company believes aligns with existing U.S. market requirements.

Industry forecasts also point to continued expansion. In its June 2026 report, Citi projected the tokenized securities market could reach about $5.5 trillion by 2030. At the same time, Robinhood has introduced a public blockchain for tokenized stocks, the DTCC has expanded its blockchain infrastructure, and both the NYSE and Nasdaq have disclosed tokenization initiatives.

Ondo said it already manages more than $1 billion in tokenized stocks and ETFs covering over 430 securities outside the U.S. Separately, Ripple recently unveiled a lending protocol on the XRP Ledger that allows banks to borrow against tokenized assets, adding another example of financial institutions building infrastructure around tokenized real-world assets.

FBI Director Kash Patel has reportedly failed to disclose a Strategy (MSTR) stock purchase on time under the U.S. STOCK Act, prompting renewed attention to how government officials report crypto-adjacent investments and other financial holdings.

According to a report published Wednesday by the nonpartisan nonprofit news organization NOTUS, Patel “inadvertently omitted” a Strategy investment that was worth up to $250,000. NOTUS says the purchase was made on Nov. 21, 2025, but did not appear in Patel’s December 2025 financial disclosures filed under the STOCK Act.

Key takeaways

• NOTUS reports that FBI Director Kash Patel omitted a Strategy (MSTR) purchase from required December 2025 disclosures.
• Under the STOCK Act, covered officials generally must disclose reportable trades within 45 days of execution.
• Patel later filed an amended report on May 26, stating the Strategy holding was “inadvertently omitted” and that he believes no current conflict exists.
• The case feeds into broader congressional criticism of weak penalties for STOCK Act violations.
• Capitol Trades data cited by NOTUS also points to other officials reporting Strategy-related holdings late.

What NOTUS says Patel got wrong—and how he corrected it

NOTUS’s report centers on a specific compliance lapse tied to the STOCK Act, a law designed to curb conflicts of interest by requiring timely disclosure of certain financial transactions by members of Congress and other covered officials.

NOTUS says Patel purchased Strategy shares on Nov. 21, 2025. The trade was not included in Patel’s December 2025 disclosure filing, even though the law requires disclosure of financial transactions above a certain threshold within a set window—NOTUS notes that transactions exceeding $1,000 must generally be reported no later than 45 days after execution.

Rather than leaving the omission unaddressed, Patel filed an amended report on May 26, according to NOTUS. The filing described the Strategy holdings as “inadvertently omitted,” and stated that there is “no current conflict exists” involving the investment.

Strategy—formerly known as MicroStrategy—is a U.S.-registered government contractor, a detail that NOTUS highlights as a potential flashpoint for conflict-of-interest concerns when senior officials hold positions in firms with government contracting ties.

Why the STOCK Act debate is resurfacing

Signed in 2012, the STOCK Act has faced repeated scrutiny from lawmakers and watchdog advocates who argue that enforcement and penalties do not meaningfully deter late or incomplete reporting.

NOTUS points to criticisms that first-time violations can result in relatively limited consequences—citing that the law provides for a $200 fine for first offenders. The same criticism notes that these penalties fall well short of the large amounts sometimes at stake in financial disclosures.

In other words, even when omissions are corrected after the fact, critics argue the system may not impose strong enough repercussions to ensure compliance from the start. Patel’s amended filing—paired with the relatively modest penalty structure described by NOTUS—adds another data point to the broader oversight conversation.

Strategy disclosures: not an isolated pattern

Patel’s case appears within a wider pattern of late reporting involving Strategy investments, at least based on the examples NOTUS cites.

NOTUS also references Capitol Trades, a website that tracks politicians’ investment activity. The report says Representative Shri Thanedar “waited” until August 2025 to report a Strategy investment made in June 2024, which Capitol Trades lists as a range between $15,001 and $50,000.

While the underlying details differ by individual and timeframe, the common thread is that Strategy-related holdings can end up reported outside the law’s intended window. For traders, compliance officers, and policy watchers, timing matters because disclosures are meant to reduce the informational advantage that comes from acting on nonpublic knowledge and then reporting after the fact.

Crypto income disclosures in the background

Patel’s reported late correction comes as U.S. political attention to crypto-linked income and reporting remains intense.

The NOTUS report is framed alongside President Donald Trump’s publication of financial records showing his cryptocurrency ventures generated more than $1.4 billion in income in 2025—more than income reported from his real estate businesses, according to a link cited by NOTUS from earlier coverage by Cointelegraph.

That reporting has also fueled political disputes about whether crypto activities, including memecoin-related developments and other crypto platforms described in the cited coverage, create conflicts between official duties and private financial interests.

Although Patel’s situation involves the STOCK Act rather than presidential financial disclosure reporting, it sits in the same ecosystem of public accountability questions: who discloses what, when, and whether the disclosure regime is stringent enough to maintain trust.

Going forward, the key question for observers is how strictly oversight bodies evaluate the “inadvertently omitted” explanation in Patel’s amended filing, and whether the broader push for stronger STOCK Act penalties gains momentum. Readers should also watch for further examples of timing-related omissions in high-profile crypto-adjacent holdings, since the credibility of the disclosure system ultimately depends on consistent enforcement—not just post-hoc corrections.

The opportunity has drawn growing interest across Wall Street. Citi projected that tokenized securities could reach $5.5 trillion by 2030, while Boston Consulting Group and Ripple estimated the market could grow to $18.9 trillion by 2033.

“We have long said that public equities are moving onchain, and there is no stronger validation of that belief than tokenizing our own public stock on day one,” CEO Carlos Domingo said in a statement.

Issuer-sponsored tokenization

Unlike many existing tokenized stock products, which are issued by third parties or offered outside the United States, Securitize said SECZ is an issuer-sponsored tokenization of the company’s own shares. Eligible U.S. investors can buy the tokenized stock through Securitize’s platform after completing identity verification and meeting securities law requirements.

The launch doubles as a showcase for Securitize’s business.

The company, founded in 2017, has spent years building tokenization infrastructure for firms including BlackRock, Apollo, KKR, Hamilton Lane and VanEck, providing issuance, transfer agency and fund administration services for blockchain-based securities.

Earlier this year, NYSE parent company Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) partnered with Securitize to develop infrastructure for tokenized equities. It also teamed up with Computershare and Continental, two of the world’s largest transfer agents, to help public firms issue their shares in token form on blockchain rails.

Key Points

• Bitget introduces U.S. stock options on its Stock+ platform for qualified users.

• Platform now supports long call and long put options on U.S.-listed equities.

• Service extends beyond tokenized equity products and private market opportunities.

• Initial rollout focuses on single-leg strategies with plans for complex structures.

• Move aligns with unprecedented U.S. options market volume in 2025.

On Thursday, Bitget announced the addition of U.S. stock options trading to its Stock+ platform for qualified users. This development represents another step in the crypto exchange’s expansion into traditional financial instruments, complementing its existing tokenized stock offerings and access to private market investments.

Platform Debuts With Basic Options Strategies

The initial launch provides qualified users with long call and long put options functionality. Users can utilize call options to gain bullish exposure on U.S. stock listings, while put options enable bearish positioning or portfolio protection strategies.

Bitget chose to begin with single-leg options purchases, a more straightforward approach compared to complex multi-leg strategies such as spreads, iron condors, or butterfly positions. The exchange indicated that sophisticated options techniques will become available as the service matures.

While the product design limits potential losses to the initial premium amount, options contracts can lose their entire value when anticipated price movements don’t materialize. Users must consider factors including expiration timing, strike price selection, and market trajectory.

Stock+ Portfolio Expands Into Listed Derivatives

Bitget integrated the options offering into Stock+, its comprehensive traditional finance product ecosystem. The platform previously provided tokenized equities and opportunities to access pre-IPO companies. With this addition, Stock+ now delivers a more comprehensive range of market instruments.

Operating from the Seychelles, the exchange has designed Stock+ to function as a connection point between cryptocurrency markets and conventional financial products. This approach consolidates stocks, digital assets, commodities, foreign exchange, market indices, and precious metals within a unified trading interface. The strategy mirrors an industry-wide trend among cryptocurrency platforms evolving into diversified asset exchanges.

According to the exchange, the product addresses demand from qualified users seeking proven equity market tools. By launching with straightforward options configurations, the platform aims to provide an accessible onboarding experience. The company connected the timing to growing appetite for exchange-traded derivatives.

Surging Derivatives Activity Drives Platform Innovation

The product debut comes after an exceptional year for U.S. options trading. American options markets handled over 15.2 billion contracts throughout 2025, translating to approximately 60 million contracts during each trading session.

Options instruments have seen expanded adoption among both retail participants and institutional traders. Market participants employ them for directional speculation, risk mitigation, volatility exploitation, premium collection, and leverage management. Consequently, trading venues increasingly view options as a key engagement and revenue driver.

Bitget confronts growing competition from rival crypto platforms diversifying beyond digital currency products. In June, Coinbase revealed intentions to broaden its options infrastructure for both equities and cryptocurrencies. Through this Stock+ enhancement, Bitget advances its position in the listed derivatives space.

Key Takeaways

• LCID shares declined 7.62% to $6.13 following the release of second-quarter production data.

• The electric vehicle maker manufactured 4,774 units and handed over 3,953 vehicles in Q2.

• Alexander De Bock has been appointed as the new chief financial officer at Lucid.

• Major leadership restructuring aims to streamline operations and enhance accountability.

• Management seeks better alignment between production capacity, operational expenses, and market demand.

Shares of Lucid Group (LCID) experienced a sharp 7.62% decline, closing at $6.13, after the electric vehicle manufacturer disclosed its second-quarter manufacturing and delivery metrics. The downturn came alongside announcements of significant executive transitions, including a new chief financial officer and extensive leadership reorganization. These developments have intensified investor attention on the company’s operational effectiveness and cost management.

Lucid Group, Inc., LCID

Second Quarter Manufacturing and Distribution Figures Released

Lucid manufactured a total of 4,774 electric vehicles throughout the quarter ending June 30, 2026. During this same timeframe, the automaker successfully delivered 3,953 units to customers. Market participants responded negatively, sending LCID shares downward at the opening bell.

The stock experienced initial selling pressure before finding some stability and staging a minor recovery later in the trading session. Nevertheless, the overall negative movement maintained downward momentum on the company’s short-term valuation. The quarterly performance data intensified questions surrounding customer demand dynamics, manufacturing planning capabilities, and distribution effectiveness.

The company maintains its strategic focus on software-integrated electric vehicles and cutting-edge automotive technology. However, Lucid remains under considerable pressure to expand production volumes while simultaneously enhancing operational efficiency. Consequently, this latest operational disclosure coincided with a comprehensive reorganization of its management team and corporate structure.

Financial Leadership Transition Marks Latest Executive Change

Lucid has announced Alexander De Bock as its next chief financial officer. De Bock comes with over twenty years of automotive financial management expertise. His previous role included serving as CFO at TI Automotive, where he led cost optimization initiatives and organizational restructuring projects.

Taoufiq Boussaid, the current CFO, will depart from Lucid following a transition period. He is expected to remain with the organization through the publication of second-quarter financial results. This transition represents another significant shift in the company’s financial leadership structure.

Lucid simultaneously revealed multiple executive appointments under the direction of CEO Silvio Napoli. Management stated these organizational modifications will simplify corporate structure and strengthen accountability mechanisms. The restructuring will reduce the number of executives reporting directly to the CEO by fifty percent.

Organizational Restructuring Aims to Accelerate Performance and Responsibility

Raja Ramana Macha has been named chief technology officer at Lucid. In this capacity, he will direct technology initiatives and engineering implementation. Macha’s professional history includes senior technology leadership positions at Eaton spanning automotive and additional industrial segments.

Billy Hayes has assumed the role of chief customer officer, taking charge of sales operations, customer service, marketing functions, and regional execution. Hugo Martinho will step into the position of chief transformation officer effective August 1. Kay Stepper will head Lucid Technologies, supervising robotaxi development, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving systems, advanced driver assistance systems, and enterprise information technology.

Lucid has additionally elevated Christian Appel to vice president of program management. Appel will coordinate platform execution and manage product portfolio alignment. These organizational changes build upon previous efforts to reduce operational complexity, synchronize manufacturing capacity with market demand, and strengthen competitive positioning.