Franklin Templeton Expands to BNB Chain to Democratize Tokenized Finance

Franklin Templeton, the global asset manager overseeing $1.6 trillion in assets under management, has expanded its Benji Technology Platform to the BNB Chain ecosystem, marking a strategic move to enhance tokenization capabilities and broaden access to on-chain financial assetsFranklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji Platform Integration Onto BNB Chain^[1]. The integration leverages BNB Chain’s scalable, low-cost infrastructure to create new real-world asset (RWA) tokenization opportunities, aligning with the projected $30 trillion global RWA market by 2030Franklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji Platform Integration Onto BNB Chain^[1]. Benji, Franklin Templeton’s proprietary blockchain-based platform, already operates on networks like Ethereum, Stellar, and Solana, managing tokenized assets with a total value exceeding $732 millionFranklin Templeton Brings Benji Tokenization Platform to BNB Chain^[2]. The expansion to BNB Chain, which hosts over $542 million in tokenized assets (ranking eighth globally), underscores the firm’s focus on institutional-grade security, compliance, and utilityFranklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji Platform Integration Onto BNB Chain^[1].

The partnership with BNB Chain emphasizes the network’s role in facilitating fast settlement, low transaction fees, and compliant data tools, which Sarah Song, head of business development at BNB Chain, described as a “purpose-built environment for tokenization”Franklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji Platform Integration Onto BNB Chain^[1]. Roger Bayston, Franklin Templeton’s head of digital assets, highlighted that the collaboration aims to deliver “greater utility and enhanced features for retail and institutional clients globally,” while maintaining security and compliance as core prioritiesFranklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji Platform Integration Onto BNB Chain^[1]. BNB Chain’s growing adoption in RWA tokenization, including money market funds and credit instruments, positions it as a key player in bridging traditional finance and blockchain innovationFranklin Templeton Brings Benji Tokenization Platform to BNB Chain^[2].

Franklin Templeton’s Benji platform has demonstrated its capacity to tokenize traditional assets, as seen in its OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (BENJI), which enables 24/7 trading and yield distributionFranklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji Platform Integration Onto BNB Chain^[1]. The firm’s recent introduction of intraday yield features for the BENJI fund further illustrates its commitment to innovation, allowing investors to earn continuous returns on short-term holdingsThe Future of Tokenization: Insights from the OECD^[4]. With the platform now spanning eight blockchains, the expansion to BNB Chain reflects a broader trend of institutional adoption, as highlighted by the OECD’s 2025 policy paper, which notes that while experimental initiatives are growing, scalable adoption remains limited by regulatory and infrastructure challenges.

The move follows Franklin Templeton’s partnership with Binance to explore joint tokenization initiatives, reinforcing its blockchain footprintFranklin Templeton Brings Benji Tokenization Platform to BNB Chain^[2]. JPMorgan analysts have flagged barriers to institutional adoption, including fragmented cross-border regulations and concerns over protocol reliabilityFranklin Templeton Brings Benji Tokenization Platform to BNB Chain^[2]. Despite these hurdles, Franklin Templeton’s integration with BNB Chain signals confidence in the network’s ability to support regulated assets at scale, as Sarah Song noted that the chain “already demonstrates real liquidity and adoption”Franklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji Platform Integration Onto BNB Chain^[1].

As tokenization transitions from pilot projects to scaled deployment, the focus has shifted to identifying networks capable of meeting institutional standardsFranklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji Platform Integration Onto BNB Chain^[1]. Franklin Templeton’s expansion to BNB Chain aligns with this shift, emphasizing that tokenization is no longer theoretical but operational. The firm’s strategy to meet investors “where they’re active” underscores the growing importance of blockchain in democratizing access to financial products, a theme echoed in the OECD’s analysis of tokenization’s potential to modernize markets.