Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has entered into a landmark partnership with Franklin Templeton, one of the leading global investment firms, to develop tokenized securities and expand blockchain-driven financial infrastructure. The collaboration, announced this week, signals a major step in bridging traditional finance with decentralised markets at scale.
A Strategic Alliance Between Crypto and Traditional Finance
The partnership pairs Binance’s global trading infrastructure and vast investor reach with Franklin Templeton’s expertise in compliant tokenisation of securities. Together, the firms aim to build an ecosystem capable of delivering institutional-grade tokenised products that enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for investors.
“Our goal is to take tokenisation from concept to practice for clients to achieve efficiencies in settlement, collateral management, and portfolio construction at scale,” said Roger Bayston, executive vice president and head of digital assets at Franklin Templeton.
The exchange expects to unveil tokenisation products before the end of the year, according to a spokesperson quoted by Cointelegraph.
Sandy Kaul, Franklin Templeton’s head of innovation, stressed the importance of the initiative, noting that tokenisation has matured from the “fringes to the financial mainstream.” She added: “We see blockchain not as a threat to legacy systems, but as an opportunity to reimagine them.”
Tokenisation: From Concept to Implementation
The joint initiative will focus on turning tokenisation into a practical tool for global capital markets. Franklin Templeton already operates tokenised money market funds under its Benji platform, which has experimented across multiple blockchains including Stellar, Avalanche, Base, Polygon, Aptos and Arbitrum. Its Benji token currently manages over $657 million in assets, with wider integration expected under this new collaboration.
By leveraging Binance’s extensive infrastructure and compliance channels, the partnership may also see Benji tokens deployed on BNB Smart Chain, extending their reach to Binance’s massive investor base.
For Franklin Templeton, the move complements its growing digital asset footprint. The firm was one of the first US asset managers to launch a spot Bitcoin ETF, the Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC), in January 2024. As of August 2025, it oversees $1.64 trillion in assets under management, confirming its heavyweight position in global markets.
Market Reactions: BNB Surges to Record Highs
The announcement had an immediate effect on Binance’s native exchange token, BNB. Following the news, BNB rallied sharply, climbing to a new all-time peak above $902.55 before stabilising near $895. The surge marks a nearly 29% gain in 2025 alone and over 75% growth in the past 12 months.
Investors welcomed the partnership as a signal of growing regulatory stability for Binance after years of challenges in multiple jurisdictions. The token’s rally also coincides with broader optimism in altcoin markets, with analysts predicting BNB could soon break into four-digit territory as demand from treasury firms and potential ETFs builds.
BNB’s rise has been further supported by its utility within the Binance ecosystem, where it is widely staked for long-term benefits such as reduced trading fees, access to token launches, and exclusive airdrops.
Tokenisation Trend Accelerates Across Markets
The Binance–Franklin Templeton collaboration comes amid a wave of tokenisation initiatives from both crypto-native and traditional finance players. Earlier this week, Reuters reported that Nasdaq invested $50 million into Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by the Winklevoss twins, to expand its tokenisation services. Nasdaq also filed a proposal with the US Securities and Exchange Commission seeking approval to list tokenised stocks directly on its platform.
Meanwhile, Kraken recently introduced a trading venue for tokenised assets of XStocks targeting European investors, signalling growing competition in the space.
With Franklin Templeton’s proven record in tokenised products and Binance’s unmatched daily trading volumes, averaging $22 billion according to CoinGecko, the collaboration is expected to set new benchmarks for the adoption of blockchain-based securities.
The Road Ahead: Building the Portfolios of the Future
For both firms, the partnership represents more than just a product launch, it signals a long-term commitment to integrating decentralised technologies with established capital markets.
“By working with Binance, we can deliver breakthrough products that meet the requirements of global capital markets and co-create the portfolios of the future,” Franklin Templeton’s Bayston emphasised.
Binance framed the initiative as a way to strengthen global capital market efficiency, offering investors greater transparency, competitive yields, and faster settlements. The partnership could also serve as a model for other collaborations between digital asset firms and established financial institutions, accelerating mainstream adoption of tokenised products.
As Franklin Templeton continues to expand its Benji platform and digital-first investment strategies, and Binance leverages its dominance in global trading, the partnership may reshape the way investors access and manage securities in the coming years.
The alliance between Binance and Franklin Templeton underscores the rapid shift of tokenisation from a niche experiment to a cornerstone of modern finance. By combining regulatory expertise, global infrastructure, and blockchain innovation, the partnership has the potential to redefine efficiency and accessibility in capital markets.
