Canton Network Expands Institutional Validator Base With Franklin Templeton and Nano Labs

• Franklin Templeton joined the Canton Network as a Super Validator, enabling direct participation in network security and governance for regulated financial institutions.
• Nano Labs was approved as a Validator Node after passing rigorous assessments of its technical capabilities and compliance requirements.
• The Canton Network is governed by 55 institutions, including Visa, DTCC, and Nasdaq, focusing on compliant infrastructure for tokenized assets.
• Franklin Templeton previously integrated its Benji Technology Platform with the Canton Network and executed on-chain U.S. Treasuries transactions in July 2026.

Franklin Templeton has officially joined the Canton Network as a Super Validator, marking a significant expansion of its institutional blockchain strategy. The appointment provides the asset manager with a direct role in securing the network while supporting compliant infrastructure for tokenized assets and institutional capital movement. This move deepens the company's commitment to building blockchain infrastructure specifically designed for regulated financial institutions.

The new role places Franklin Templeton among a select group of institutions responsible for maintaining the network’s security and governance. Super Validators operate Global Synchronizer nodes that coordinate activity across the Canton Network, validate Canton Coin transfers, participate in Byzantine Fault Tolerance consensus, and approve governance proposals that guide the network’s development. The company noted that participating as a validator supports its long-term objective of building blockchain infrastructure for regulated financial institutions.

Concurrently, Nano Labs has been approved to join the Canton Network as a Validator Node. This milestone marks an important step forward in Nano Labs’ strategic development across digital asset infrastructure, blockchain technology applications, and institutional financial ecosystems. The approval follows a comprehensive review and approval through the network’s governance framework, including assessments of technical capabilities, operational standards, and compliance requirements.

As a Validator Node, Nano Labs will operate dedicated node infrastructure and participate in the operation and ecosystem development of the Canton Network. Joining the network represents a strategic initiative for Nano Labs to further integrate blockchain infrastructure with emerging financial technologies. The company expects to expand opportunities for collaboration with global financial institutions, market infrastructure providers, and technology innovators.

How Does the Canton Network Operate for Institutional Investors?

The Canton Network was designed specifically for institutional tokenized finance. It enables organizations to coordinate transactions through a shared blockchain layer while keeping underlying transaction data private. The network is governed by 55 institutions, including Visa, DTCC, Nasdaq, Chainlink, and Circle. Consequently, governance decisions are distributed across multiple participants instead of relying on a single organization. The network brings together global financial institutions and market infrastructure providers, including Goldman Sachs, BNY Mellon, Visa, DTCC, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Börse Group.

The architecture is designed for financial institutions, using privacy protection, interoperability, and compliance-focused design to enable secure connectivity between assets, data, and financial applications. Franklin Templeton views secure and compliant blockchain networks as an important foundation for tokenized finance. The company’s latest appointment builds on an existing relationship with the network, having integrated its Benji Technology Platform with the Canton Network in November 2025.

What Recent Transactions Demonstrate Network Capabilities?

Franklin Templeton participated in an on-chain U.S. Treasuries transaction on the Canton Network during July 2026 alongside several financial institutions. That transaction demonstrated how regulated financial assets can move efficiently through blockchain infrastructure built for institutional participants. The event highlighted the network's ability to handle complex financial instruments while maintaining regulatory compliance and data privacy.

Potential applications for Nano Labs through its participation include digital asset settlement, institutional financial solutions, and on-chain asset management. Mr. Jianping Kong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nano Labs, stated that joining the Canton Network Validator ecosystem is an important milestone in the company’s digital infrastructure strategy. He expressed anticipation in working with leading global financial institutions and technology partners to explore the future of institutional blockchain applications.

The expanded role also strengthens the network’s validator ecosystem and supports the growth of compliant infrastructure for institutional tokenized finance. Franklin Templeton’s involvement reinforces its long-term blockchain strategy while contributing to the development of a more open, efficient, and secure digital asset infrastructure. The company’s Benji Technology Platform extension into institutional blockchain infrastructure underscores the growing convergence of traditional asset management and distributed ledger technology.