Franklin Templeton, one of the world’s largest asset managers, has expanded its $1.5 billion BENJI tokenized money market fund to BNB Chain, marking a major step in its multichain distribution strategy. The move positions BNB Chain as the leading network for the BENJI fund by asset value, highlighting the rising role of public blockchains in institutional finance.
BNB Chain overtakes Stellar as BENJI’s top network
With the recent expansion, BNB Chain now holds approximately $1.5 billion in BENJI-linked assets, representing 61.71% of the fund’s total distribution. This surge was accompanied by a 1,226% monthly increase in assets held on BNB Chain, enabling it to surpass Stellar and become the largest blockchain supporting the fund.
Stellar, an open-source network designed for fast and affordable cross-border payments, initially provided the core infrastructure for Franklin Templeton’s blockchain-based fund when it launched in 2021. Despite its foundational role, the rapid growth on BNB Chain has shifted the balance of asset allocation in recent months.
Ethereum currently ranks third, accommodating $159 million in BENJI assets or about 6.48% of the total. Other blockchains—including Base, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Polygon, and Aptos—account for only a minimal share in the remaining distribution.
Industry analysts note that Franklin Templeton’s expansion to networks beyond Stellar underscores the company’s evolving commitment to multi-chain accessibility for its regulated tokenized investment vehicles.
| Blockchain | BENJI Asset Value | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| BNB Chain | $1.5 billion | 61.71% |
| Stellar | Not specified | Decreased share |
| Ethereum | $159 million | 6.48% |
| Other blockchains | Minimal | Lower than 6% |
BNB Chain’s total BENJI fund allocation rose sharply, overtaking Stellar with a 1,226% monthly increase and now represents more than 61% of the assets associated with the fund.
Mini dictionary: Franklin Templeton, based in the United States, is a global investment management firm with a focus on mutual funds, ETFs, and alternative investments.
Institutions adopt tokenized finance
Franklin Templeton has accelerated blockchain adoption by offering its U.S.-registered money market fund in tokenized form, leveraging distributed ledger technology to process transactions, record ownership, and enhance operational efficiency for accredited investors.
The decision to add BNB Chain—a layer 1 blockchain developed by Binance—increases transaction speed and reduces network fees for institutions accessing BENJI shares. Meanwhile, the company continues to broaden investor access through partnerships with leading digital asset companies and infrastructure providers.
Recent collaborations involve well-known exchanges such as Binance and Kraken, along with fintech provider MoonPay, enabling eligible institutional clients to use BENJI for collateral management and investment purposes.
Asset tokenization, which is the process of representing real-world assets as digital tokens on a blockchain, has gained traction across traditional and crypto financial sectors. Industry participants report a growing number of live trades involving tokenized securities, signaling progress beyond experimental pilot phases.
Franklin Templeton’s latest expansion highlights the growing confidence among asset managers in using public blockchains as infrastructure for compliant and regulated financial products. As more platforms compete for institutional investment activity, the trend toward multi-chain distribution is expected to accelerate.
The BENJI fund’s expansion to BNB Chain demonstrates the continuing momentum of tokenized finance and signals increasing competition among blockchains vying for institutional participation.
