Franklin Templeton Leverages BNB Chain to Scale Tokenized Finance

Franklin Templeton, a global investment firm managing $1.6 trillion in assets, has expanded its proprietary Benji Technology Platform to the BNB Chain ecosystem, marking a significant step in tokenization innovation. The move aims to leverage BNB Chain’s scalable, low-cost infrastructure to create new on-chain financial assets, aligning with the growing institutional adoption of blockchain-based solutions. Benji, which has previously operated on blockchains like Ethereum, Solana, and Stellar, now integrates with BNB Chain to enhance its capabilities in tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs). This expansion follows Franklin Templeton’s recent partnership with Binance, underscoring the firm’s commitment to bridging traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) .

The Benji platform is designed to facilitate 24/7 trading, management, and administration of tokenized assets, including its flagship product, the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX). This fund, launched in 2021 as the first SEC-registered mutual fund on a public blockchain, currently holds $732 million in total value locked, with nearly $480 million on the Stellar network. By deploying on BNB Chain, Franklin Templeton aims to broaden access to tokenized investment products while utilizing the network’s compliance-focused infrastructure, which includes fast settlement times and low transaction fees . BNB Chain’s ecosystem, already hosting tokenized money market funds and credit instruments, is positioned to support regulated assets at scale, according to Sarah Song, head of business development at BNB Chain .

The partnership with Binance, announced concurrently, further amplifies Franklin Templeton’s blockchain footprint. Binance’s global trading infrastructure and user base of over 280 million complement Franklin Templeton’s expertise in compliant tokenization. The collaboration seeks to develop products offering faster settlement, transparent pricing, and competitive yields, directly challenging traditional securities. This alliance has already driven BNB’s price to an all-time high of $907.3, reflecting market optimism about institutional-grade tokenization’s potential . Meanwhile, the tokenized RWA market is surging, with total value on public blockchains reaching $18 billion by early 2025, up from $10 billion in 2024 .

Franklin Templeton’s Benji platform now supports tokenized assets across eight blockchains, including Ethereum, Solana, and Base, with BNB Chain’s integration expected to accelerate institutional adoption. The firm’s strategy aligns with broader industry trends, as regulators and financial institutions increasingly explore tokenized finance. Nasdaq, for instance, has filed a rule change with the SEC to enable tokenized versions of listed stocks and ETFs to trade alongside traditional counterparts, a move that could redefine capital market infrastructure . Despite these advancements, challenges remain, including fragmented cross-border regulations and concerns over protocol reliability, as noted by JPMorgan analysts .

The expansion to BNB Chain underscores Franklin Templeton’s vision to push tokenization beyond pilot projects into scaled deployment. By partnering with a network that already tokenizes over $542 million in real-world assets, the firm is reinforcing the shift from theoretical concepts to operational reality. Roger Bayston, head of digital assets at Franklin Templeton, emphasized the importance of meeting investors “where they’re active” while prioritizing security and compliance . This strategic move, coupled with Binance’s support, positions Franklin Templeton to capitalize on the projected $30 trillion RWA market by 2030, as per industry forecasts .