Franklin Templeton Leverages BNB Chain's Scalability to Drive RWA Tokenization Growth

Franklin Templeton, a global asset manager overseeing $1.6 trillion in assets, has expanded its proprietary Benji Technology Platform to the BNB Chain ecosystem. The move aims to leverage BNB Chain’s scalable, low-cost infrastructure to create new on-chain financial assets, enhancing the firm’s tokenization capabilities. The platform, which already operates on blockchains like Ethereum, Stellar, and VeChain, now integrates with BNB Chain to offer institutional-grade solutions for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Roger Bayston, head of digital assets at Franklin Templeton, emphasized the firm’s commitment to delivering tokenized assets with enhanced utility and compliance for global investors Franklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Frontiers With Benji Platform Integration Onto BNB Chain^[1].

The partnership aligns with BNB Chain’s position as a hub for RWA tokenization. The network currently hosts over $542 million in tokenized assets, ranking it eighth globally. Sarah Song, head of business development at BNB Chain, highlighted the chain’s unique advantages: fast settlement, low fees, and compliance-ready tools. “Franklin Templeton’s decision underscores BNB Chain’s ability to support regulated, real-world assets at scale,” she stated Franklin Templeton’s Benji Technology Platform Onboards BNB Chain^[2]. The integration enables Franklin Templeton to expand access to tokenized products, including mutual funds, equities, and money market instruments, while addressing institutional demand for secure, efficient infrastructure.

The Benji platform has been pivotal in advancing tokenization in traditional finance. Launched in 2021, it underpins the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX), the first U.S.-registered mutual fund to use blockchain for transactions and ownership records. As of now, the fund holds $732 million in tokenized value, with nearly $480 million on Stellar. By deploying on BNB Chain, Franklin Templeton aims to capitalize on the network’s sub-second finality and ultra-low transaction costs, which are critical for scaling RWA adoption Franklin Templeton brings Benji tokenization platform to BNB Chain^[3].

The global RWA market is projected to grow rapidly, reaching $30 trillion by 2030, driven by institutional interest in tokenization’s efficiency and transparency benefits. BNB Chain’s ecosystem has already seen significant growth, with over $9.87 billion in total value locked (TVL) across decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. Projects like PancakeSwap and Venus Protocol dominate the TVL, while emerging platforms like Solv and Pendle expand use cases for tokenized assets. Franklin Templeton’s entry into BNB Chain reinforces the network’s role as a destination for institutional-grade tokenized products BNB Chain DeFi TVL Hits $9.87B as Ecosystem Expands^[4].

Challenges remain in institutional adoption, including fragmented cross-border regulations and legal uncertainties around on-chain investments. JPMorgan analysts noted that enforceability and protocol reliability are key concerns. However, Franklin Templeton’s expansion reflects a broader trend of traditional finance embracing blockchain. Nasdaq’s recent proposal to allow tokenized versions of stocks and ETFs to trade alongside traditional assets further signals the sector’s maturation. By integrating with BNB Chain, Franklin Templeton bridges traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi), fostering cross-chain composability and liquidity solutions Franklin Templeton Adds BNB Chain as It Scales Tokenized Product Infrastructure^[5].

The partnership also aligns with BNB Chain’s strategic initiatives to attract institutional capital. A $100 million liquidity incentive program for centralized exchange listings and a focus on compliance-ready infrastructure underscore the network’s appeal. Franklin Templeton’s Benji platform now joins other institutional players in leveraging BNB Chain’s modular ecosystem, which includes partnerships with Chainlink for oracles, Chainalysis for AML tools, and Fireblocks for custody solutions. These integrations create a robust foundation for scalable, regulated RWA deployments The State of Real-World Assets on BNB Chain^[6].

As tokenization transitions from pilot projects to scaled deployment, Franklin Templeton’s expansion to BNB Chain highlights the growing acceptance of blockchain in mainstream finance. The firm’s multi-chain strategy—spanning Ethereum, Solana, and now BNB Chain—ensures regulatory compatibility and redundancy across jurisdictions. With the RWA market expanding and regulatory frameworks evolving, the collaboration between Franklin Templeton and BNB Chain positions both as key players in the future of tokenized finance Franklin Templeton Expands Benji Platform to BNB Chain^[7].