Plume Network Registers as SEC Transfer Agent for Tokenized Securities: What it Means

On October 6, 2025, Plume Network, a modular Layer 2 blockchain built for real-world assets, secured registration from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a transfer agent for tokenized securities. 

This registration enables Plume to oversee the issuance, transfer, and administration of digital securities on the blockchain, ensuring compliance with federal regulations while integrating with systems such as the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation. It signifies a structured approach to integrating traditional securities processes with blockchain technology, enabling the automated management of shareholder records and transactions in a regulated environment.

Transfer Agent Under U.S Security Laws

The SEC registration classifies Plume Network as a transfer agent under U.S. securities laws. Transfer agents are responsible for maintaining issuer security holder records, processing transfers of ownership, and handling distributions such as dividends. 

For Plume, this role is executed through smart contracts on its blockchain, which enable immutable ledgers, transparent auditing, and real-time updates. The system ensures interoperability with the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, the central securities depository in the U.S., facilitating seamless settlement of trades.

Chris Yin, CEO and co-founder of Plume Network, explained that the registration incorporates investor protections inherent in transfer agent rules. He noted that the onchain protocol streamlines digital securities issuance and fosters regulatory collaboration. Yin highlighted how this addresses the divide between the operational speed of decentralized finance and the compliance requirements of traditional finance. 

"At Plume, we believe transfer agent regulation exists to protect investors' rights as shareholders. With this fully onchain transfer agent protocol, we are streamlining the issuance of digital securities with a built-in partnership with regulators,” Yin said in a statement with Coindesk. 

In the meantime, the approval shortens tokenization timelines from months to weeks by automating processes and reducing manual interventions, all while adhering to U.S. legal frameworks.

What does this mean for Plume Network?

As a registered transfer agent, Plume Network can manage onchain capital tables, which link shareholder records and trade reports to the SEC and Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation systems. This supports tokenized securities that represent genuine stocks and bonds, distinct from utility tokens that approximate equity. Native fund administration features allow issuers and managers to handle dividends, investor onboarding, and corporate actions via smart contracts.

The registration enables specific applications, such as onchain initial public offerings, small-cap company fundraising, and the transfer of off-chain securities like those governed by the Investment Company Act of 1940, which encompasses over $39 trillion in U.S. assets. Plume plans to introduce products through its Nest protocol vaults starting in the first quarter of 2026. These tools aim to support institutional involvement from firms like BlackRock, Fidelity, and Apollo by offering regulatory-compliant pathways for asset tokenization.

Before the registration, Plume demonstrated scale by onboarding over 200,000 real-world asset holders and tokenizing more than $62 million in assets via its NestCredit protocol in three months. 

Impact on Market and Token Performance

The announcement prompted a notable response in Plume's native token, $PLUME. According to CoinMarketCap data, the asset has increased by 10% in the last 24 hours and 20% in the last 7 days. Trading volume in the last 24 hours increased by 879%, signaling heightened market interest. The market capitalization reached approximately $334 million, with active trading on exchanges such as Binance and Bybit.

This places Plume among a limited number of blockchain entities with SEC-endorsed status for tokenized securities oversight, which may encourage institutional engagement in real-world assets. The token's performance underscores investor recognition of the registration's role in enhancing infrastructure credibility.

Implications for Tokenized Securities

The registration allows Plume to manage digital securities onchain, including interoperability with the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation for settlement. This facilitates the compliant tokenization of real-world assets, such as commodities, real estate, or artwork, under federal oversight. It positions Plume as a bridge for traditional finance entities entering the blockchain, with features such as direct issuance and management of securities.

In the real-world asset space, this aligns with the growing adoption of protocols that prioritize regulation-first designs. While liquidity challenges persist, SEC approval addresses a key barrier by providing clarity for institutional investors to participate. Plume's ecosystem metrics, including nearly $500M in total value locked, indicate readiness for expanded operations.

Conclusion

Plume Network's SEC registration as a transfer agent for tokenized securities provides a compliant mechanism for onchain management of digital assets, integrating smart contract automation with established financial systems. This includes handling shareholder records, dividends, and corporate actions in a regulated manner, supported by the network's demonstrated scale and operational efficiency. 

Backed by investors and aligned with regulatory initiatives like the GENIUS Act, Plume's framework meets compliance demands at the junction of traditional and decentralized finance. For participants in securities and blockchain, this underscores the practicality of tokenized infrastructure in institutional contexts, emphasizing the need for regulatory integration as essential for the expansion of tokenized assets.

Sources:

• PLUME Network Rises 25% as Network Registered by SEC as Transfer Agent for Tokenized Securities: https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/10/06/plume-network-registered-by-sec-as-transfer-agent-for-tokenized-securities 

• Plume X post: https://x.com/plumenetwork/status/1975218237077147927 

• Plume Network Registers with SEC as Transfer Agent: https://cointelegraph.com/news/plume-network-sec-transfer-agent 

• Plume Mainnet Launch: https://www.theblock.co/post/357151/plume-mainnet-150-million-real-world-assets-deployed