Franklin Templeton's BNB Chain Bet: Scaling Tokenization for a $30 Trillion Future

Franklin Templeton, a global investment manager overseeing $1.6 trillion in assets, has expanded its Benji Technology Platform to the BNB Chain ecosystem. This move aims to enhance the firm’s tokenization capabilities by leveraging BNB Chain’s scalable, low-cost infrastructure to create on-chain financial assets. The platform, which already operates on chains like Ethereum, Stellar, and VeChain, now integrates BNB Chain to offer 24/7 trading, yield distribution, and real-time net asset value tracking for tokenized assetsFranklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji …^[1]. The firm’s OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX), the first U.S.-registered mutual fund to utilize blockchain for share ownership and transactions, is a flagship example of its tokenization strategyFranklin Templeton Expands Benji Platform to BNB Chain^[5].

The partnership with BNB Chain aligns with Franklin Templeton’s broader objective to meet investors where they are active while prioritizing security and compliance. Roger Bayston, head of digital assets at Franklin Templeton, emphasized the collaboration’s potential to deliver “tokenized assets with greater utility and enhanced features for retail and institutional clients globally.” The firm’s Benji platform, which processes transactions and manages digital assets, now supports BNB Chain’s high transaction throughput and fast settlement speedsFranklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji …^[1]. This expansion follows a strategic multi-chain approach, with BNB Chain joining existing integrations to broaden access to tokenized productsFranklin Templeton Brings Benji Platform To BNB Chain^[3].

BNB Chain’s role in the tokenization ecosystem is underscored by its $542 million in real-world assets (RWAs) tokenized as of September 2025, making it the eighth-largest market globallyFranklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji …^[1]. Sarah Song, head of business development at BNB Chain, highlighted the chain’s unique advantages, including “fast settlement, low fees, and compliant data tooling,” which position it as an ideal environment for institutional-grade tokenization. The partnership with Franklin Templeton reflects BNB Chain’s growing appeal as a hub for regulated, large-scale asset tokenization, with Song noting that the firm’s decision underscores the network’s liquidity and adoption potentialFranklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji …^[1].

The global RWA market, projected to grow to $30 trillion by 2030, is transitioning from pilot projects to scaled deployment. Institutional adoption is now focused on identifying blockchain networks capable of supporting tokenized assets at an operational level. Franklin Templeton’s expansion to BNB Chain signals confidence in tokenization’s maturity, moving beyond theoretical exploration to practical implementation. The firm’s Benji platform has already demonstrated success in tokenizing traditional assets, with FOBXX reaching $742 million in assets and distributing over $51 million in dividends since its 2021 launchFranklin Templeton Expands Benji Platform to BNB Chain^[5]. This shift aligns with broader industry trends, as competitors like Solana and Ripple also explore tokenized solutions for cross-border payments and settlementFranklin Templeton Expands Benji Platform to BNB Chain^[5].

Analysts note that BNB Chain’s low fees and high transaction capacity (over 200 transactions per second) reduce barriers for both institutional and retail users. The chain’s existing partnerships, such as Circle’s USYC token and Franklin Templeton’s collaboration with Binance, further solidify its position in the tokenization landscape. However, challenges remain, including regulatory fragmentation and the need for robust infrastructure. Despite these hurdles, the RWA market has surged 224% since early 2024, with tokenized assets now valued at $51 billion in perpetual trading volumeFranklin Templeton Expands Benji Platform to BNB Chain^[5]. Franklin Templeton’s move to BNB Chain reflects a calculated bet on the network’s ability to navigate these challenges while scaling institutional-grade solutions.