Blockchain Meets Wall Street: Tokenization Enters the Mainstream

Binance, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and user base, and Franklin Templeton, a global investment firm with $1.6 trillion in assets under management, have announced a strategic collaboration to develop digital asset initiatives that bridge traditional finance with decentralized markets. The partnership aims to create compliant, investor-ready products that offer competitive yields, faster settlement times, and greater accessibility for a broad range of investors. The firms will leverage Franklin Templeton’s expertise in regulatory-grade tokenization of securities alongside Binance’s global trading infrastructure and extensive reach to digital asset markets.

Franklin Templeton’s Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX), represented by BENJI shares, is among the leading tokenized money market funds. As of September 8, FOBXX managed approximately $742 million in assets, according to data from RWA.xyz. The fund has already demonstrated tokenization on Coinbase's Base blockchain and is now set to expand its capabilities through its collaboration with Binance.

Sandy Kaul, EVP and Head of Innovation at Franklin Templeton, emphasized the transformative potential of blockchain technology, stating that it is not a threat to legacy systems but an opportunity to reimagine them. Kaul noted that partnerships like this one will be essential for accelerating adoption as blockchain tools and technologies transition from the fringes to the financial mainstream. Roger Bayston, EVP and Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton, added that the goal is to move tokenization from concept to practice for clients, enabling efficiencies in settlement, collateral management, and portfolio construction at scale.

Catherine Chen, Head of VIP & Institutional at Binance, stated that the collaboration aligns with Binance’s mission to bridge crypto with traditional capital markets and expand opportunities for investors. Binance’s global user base of over 280 million and its deep liquidity position in digital asset markets provide a strong foundation for the development of innovative products in partnership with Franklin Templeton. The firms plan to unveil specific product offerings later this year, according to their press release.

The collaboration is part of a broader trend toward integrating blockchain technology into traditional financial systems. Both companies are focusing their efforts on markets outside the U.S., according to a Binance representative. This strategic decision reflects the evolving regulatory environment in the crypto space and the growing interest in tokenization among global investors. The partnership is also in line with other developments in the digital asset sector, including Nasdaq’s recent proposal to trade tokenized securities on U.S. exchanges and the continued maturation of tokenized money market funds as institutional-grade investment vehicles.

By combining the strengths of traditional financial expertise with the efficiency and accessibility of blockchain technology, Binance and Franklin Templeton aim to deliver solutions that meet the evolving needs of investors while setting new standards for innovation in the digital asset space.