Franklin Templeton Embraces BNB Chain for Tokenized Fund Expansion

Franklin Templeton expands its Benji platform to BNB Chain, tapping into its low-cost infrastructure for tokenized real-world assets. A major move in bridging traditional finance and crypto.

Franklin Templeton Embraces BNB Chain for Tokenized Fund Expansion

Global investment giant Franklin Templeton, managing $1.6 trillion in assets, is making waves by extending its Benji Technology Platform to the BNB Chain. This move signals a significant step towards broadening access to tokenized products for both institutional and retail investors, and it's got everyone in the crypto world buzzing.

Benji Platform Finds a New Home

The Benji Technology Platform, Franklin Templeton's proprietary blockchain-based system, is the backbone for issuing and managing tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). It's the tech behind the Franklin OnChain US Government Money Fund (BENJI), currently the third-largest tokenized US Treasury fund with nearly $732 million in on-chain assets. Now, Benji is setting up shop on BNB Chain.

Why BNB Chain?

Franklin Templeton's decision to expand to BNB Chain isn't random. BNB Chain offers a purpose-built environment for tokenization, boasting scalable, low-cost infrastructure and high transaction throughput. Sarah Song, Head of Business Development at BNB Chain, emphasized that institutions like Franklin Templeton benefit from partnering with a chain that demonstrates real liquidity and adoption at scale.

The RWA Revolution

This move reflects a larger trend of traditional asset managers leveraging public blockchains to scale tokenized financial products. The tokenized RWA sector has exploded, recently surpassing $30 billion in on-chain value, almost doubling since January 2025. With over 400,000 individual holders worldwide, the RWA market is showing renewed momentum, even if trading activity has cooled slightly.

Franklin Templeton's Vision

Roger Bayston, head of digital assets at Franklin Templeton, stated their goal is to meet investors where they're active and push the boundaries of what tokenization can deliver. This isn't just about technology; it's about creating a new class of on-chain financial assets that are both secure and compliant.

The Bigger Picture

Tokenization is gaining serious traction in traditional finance. Institutions are waking up to the potential of blockchain to improve settlement times, increase accessibility, and enhance transparency. While challenges remain, like regulatory uncertainty, the industry is pushing forward, with examples like Nasdaq's proposed rule change to allow trading of tokenized stocks and ETFs.

So, what does this all mean? Franklin Templeton's embrace of BNB Chain is a strong signal that tokenization is here to stay. It's like watching Wall Street and Silicon Valley finally start speaking the same language. Who knows? Maybe one day, we'll all be managing our portfolios with a few taps on our phones, thanks to the magic of blockchain. Keep your eyes peeled – the future of finance is looking pretty tokenized!