Binance Chain Adoption Accelerates as Franklin Templeton Expands Tokenization Platform
In a significant development for the cryptocurrency space, Franklin Templeton, one of the world's largest asset managers, has announced the expansion of its Benji tokenization platform to the BNB Chain. This strategic move comes as BNB maintains its strong position above the crucial $1,000 price level, demonstrating robust market confidence in the Binance ecosystem. The integration represents a major milestone in the convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology, as Franklin Templeton seeks to leverage the BNB Chain's capabilities to broaden public access to tokenized investment products. Roger Bayston, Franklin Templeton's head of digital assets, emphasized the company's commitment to meeting investors where they are increasingly operating - within the digital asset space. This expansion signals growing institutional acceptance of blockchain infrastructure and highlights BNB Chain's rising prominence as a preferred platform for financial innovation. The Benji platform's migration to BNB Chain will enable more efficient and accessible tokenization of traditional fund shares, potentially opening new avenues for investor participation in previously hard-to-access financial products. This development underscores the accelerating trend of traditional financial institutions embracing blockchain technology to enhance product offerings and reach wider audiences. As of October 12, 2025, the cryptocurrency market continues to show strong institutional interest, with BNB's sustained performance above $1,000 reflecting positive market sentiment toward Binance's growing ecosystem and its increasing adoption by major financial players like Franklin Templeton.
Franklin Templeton Expands Benji Platform to BNB Chain, BNB Holds Above $1,000
BNB maintained its position above the $1,000 threshold as Franklin Templeton unveiled plans to extend its Benji tokenization platform to the BNB Chain. The asset manager's MOVE aims to broaden public access to tokenized products, leveraging blockchain technology for traditional fund shares.
Roger Bayston, Franklin Templeton's head of digital assets, emphasized the firm's commitment to meeting investors where they operate while prioritizing security and compliance. The Benji Technology Platform previously facilitated the launch of the first US-registered money market fund on a blockchain in 2021.
This expansion follows Franklin Templeton's strategic partnership with Binance, signaling growing institutional interest in blockchain-based financial solutions. The development underscores the accelerating convergence of traditional finance and decentralized networks.
BSC Gas Fees Slashed by 50% as CZ Pushes for Competitive Edge
Binance Smart Chain (BSC) is making aggressive moves to bolster its position in the Layer 1 race. A 50% reduction in gas fees and accelerated block times aim to attract liquidity and activity, countering rivals like ethereum and Solana. The chain's September revenue surged 35% monthly to $1.5 million, though quarterly figures remain 15% below previous highs.
Infrastructure stability appears robust—low capacity utilization and steady staking yields suggest BSC can handle Zhao's growth initiatives. Yet developer activity dipped 11% this month, revealing vulnerabilities in ecosystem expansion. "You don't win by playing defense," industry observers note, as BSC's $14 billion on-chain fee target underscores its ambition.
Crypto Market Retreats as XRP Holds Steady Amid ETF Speculation
The cryptocurrency market faced broad declines on 24 September, with total capitalization slipping to $3.98 trillion. Bitcoin dipped 0.5%, Ethereum fell 1%, and Solana led losses with a 4% drop. The sell-off spared few major tokens—except XRP, which stabilized at $2.87 despite a 5% weekly decline.
XRP’s resilience stands in stark contrast to the broader market downturn. Analysts attribute its stability to growing anticipation of spot ETF approvals, with Bloomberg recently raising approval odds to 95%. Ripple’s aggressive expansion strategy further bolsters the token’s fundamentals.
Meanwhile, the newly launched DEX token Aster ($ASTER) defied the bearish trend, surging after receiving public endorsement from Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. Its performance highlights pockets of opportunity in an otherwise retreating market.
Binance-Backed Aster Surges as Perp DEX Competition Heats Up
Aster's parabolic debut has ignited bullish price predictions, with the Binance-endorsed altcoin now outpacing Hyperliquid in 24-hour perpetual DEX volume. DefiLlama data shows $25 billion flowing through Aster's platform compared to Hyperliquid's $10 billion, signaling rapid adoption.
Derivative markets reflect growing speculative interest, with open interest surging 50% to $1 billion this week. Binance traders overwhelmingly favor long positions, evidenced by a 1.66 long/short ratio. Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao's public endorsement frames Aster as a serious contender in the perp DEX arena.
Technical charts suggest potential for continued momentum, with an ascending channel pattern forming on short-term timeframes. The project's ability to maintain this trajectory could determine how quickly investors realize their anticipated 2x returns.
Senators Call for Probe into Trump Administration Officials Over UAE Ties and Crypto Links
Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Elissa Slotkin are demanding an investigation into former TRUMP administration officials David Sacks and Steve Witkoff. The lawmakers allege the pair advocated for easing AI technology exports to the United Arab Emirates while maintaining undisclosed financial ties to UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The controversy extends into cryptocurrency markets through World Liberty Financial, whose stablecoin USD1 received a $2 billion investment from UAE state-owned firm MGX. WLF CEO Zach Witkoff, son of Steve Witkoff, failed to recuse himself from UAE-related decisions despite this substantial crypto investment being funneled through Binance.
Top Cryptos to Invest in This Week: Binance, Polkadot, and BullZilla's Presale Surge
The cryptocurrency market continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, with Binance Coin (BNB), Polkadot (DOT), and newcomer BullZilla ($BZIL) emerging as this week's standout investments. Each represents a distinct facet of blockchain innovation—exchange utility, cross-chain interoperability, and meme-driven tokenomics.
BullZilla's presale has raised $630k, defying typical meme coin stereotypes with its Roarblood Vault ecosystem. The project offers 70% APY staking rewards through its HODL Furnace—a figure that eclipses traditional finance yields. Meanwhile, BNB maintains its dominance as Binance's ecosystem token, and DOT continues to power parachain innovations.
