Franklin Templeton, a global asset manager overseeing $1.6 trillion, has extended its Benji Technology Platform to BNB Chain. This strategic move aims to broaden access to tokenized investment products for both institutional and retail investors. The expansion follows a notable surge in BNB’s market value and reflects the growing importance of blockchain in mainstream finance.
Benji Platform’s Role in Tokenized Assets
The Benji Technology Platform is Franklin Templeton’s blockchain infrastructure for issuing and managing tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). It powers the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (BENJI), which currently holds approximately $732 million in on-chain assets. This makes it the third-largest tokenized U.S. Treasury fund, trailing only BlackRock’s BUIDL fund.
Benji is already live on eight blockchains, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Solana, and Stellar, with Stellar hosting $467 million of its total assets. The addition of BNB Chain is expected to significantly expand its global investor reach.
BNB Chain’s Growing Influence
BNB Chain, developed by Binance, has rapidly grown into the fifth-largest blockchain, boasting a market capitalization of $141.7 billion. Its integration with Franklin Templeton’s platform reinforces its position as a key player in the tokenized finance ecosystem. The collaboration aligns with a broader industry trend of traditional financial institutions embracing blockchain technology.
Enhancing Investor Utility and Yield
Franklin Templeton recently introduced an intraday yield feature to the BENJI fund, allowing investors to earn returns even on short-term holdings. Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets, emphasized the firm’s commitment to delivering secure, compliant, and utility-rich tokenized assets. The partnership with Binance aims to improve scalability and efficiency for a diverse investor base.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Benji Technology Platform?
It’s Franklin Templeton’s blockchain-based system for issuing and managing tokenized real-world assets.
- Why did Franklin Templeton choose BNB Chain?
BNB Chain’s rapid growth and global reach make it an ideal platform for expanding access to tokenized investments.
- What is the BENJI fund?
The Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund, a tokenized U.S. Treasury fund offering intraday yield and blockchain-based transparency.
