BNB News Today: Institutional Adoption Drives $1 Billion Surge in BNB Chain Tokenized Assets

Circle's USDC stablecoin has surged past $1 billion in on-chain supply, with over $900 million of that growth attributed to the BNB Chain, according to data from RWA.xyz. This development underscores a growing trend of institutional adoption of blockchain infrastructure, particularly on BNB Chain, as major financial players tokenize real-world assets and expand cross-chain capabilities. The expansion aligns with broader efforts by firms like BlackRock, Ondo, and Franklin Templeton to leverage BNB Chain's scalable architecture for on-chain financial products.

The BNB Chain's role as a hub for tokenized assets has intensified in 2025, with several high-profile integrations. BlackRock's USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), a $2.5 billion tokenized Treasury fund, recently expanded to BNB Chain, accompanied by a new share class and acceptance as off-exchange collateral on Binance. The move, facilitated by tokenization platform Securitize and cross-chain protocol Wormhole, marks a significant step in bridging traditional finance with on-chain ecosystems. Binance's integration of BUIDL as collateral allows institutional clients to secure trading positions without direct exchange custody, a feature described as a "foundational element of onchain finance" by BlackRock executives.

Circle's USDC growth mirrors similar trends in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). Over the past year, institutions have launched products on BNB Chain, including BlackRock's BUIDL, Ondo's tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs, and Franklin Templeton's Benji platform, according to data from RWA.xyz. CMB International also migrated a $3.8 billion money market fund to the chain, highlighting its appeal for large-scale on-chain infrastructure. The BNB Chain's low-cost, high-throughput design has attracted firms seeking to digitize traditional assets, with Sarah Wong, BNB Chain's Head of Business Development, noting the network's "scalable, secure financial applications".

BlackRock's foray into staked Ethereum ETFs further illustrates the firm's crypto ambitions. The asset manager recently filed for a staked ETH trust ETF, aiming to enhance returns by incorporating yield-generating staking mechanisms. This follows the launch of its Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, which generates yield through covered call options. While BlackRock has abstained from altcoin ETFs, its focus on regulated, yield-bearing products aligns with broader industry shifts toward institutional-grade on-chain solutions.

The expansion of tokenized assets on BNB Chain has coincided with broader market dynamics. XRP, for instance, fell 4.3% despite a new XRPC ETF's strong debut, reflecting mixed institutional signals. Meanwhile, Zcash's price rally reignited debates about privacy in crypto, with Bitcoin maximalists and privacy advocates clashing over ZEC's legitimacy, according to Cointelegraph. Yet, the BNB Chain's institutional traction remains a standout narrative, with Hyperliquid's recent HIP-3 growth mode slashing fees by 90% to attract new markets.

As on-chain finance matures, the interplay between traditional asset managers and blockchain infrastructure is reshaping capital markets. Circle's USDC milestone and BlackRock's BUIDL expansion exemplify how legacy institutions are leveraging decentralized networks to unlock liquidity, reduce friction, and tap into new investor bases.