Franklin Templeton’s Benji Platform Goes Big: Institutional Tokenized Assets Hit Canton Network

Wall Street meets blockchain—again. Franklin Templeton’s Benji platform just expanded to the Canton Network, bringing institutional-grade tokenized assets to a decentralized playground. Because nothing says 'trust' like hedge funds playing with crypto Legos.

Why it matters: The move signals growing institutional appetite for blockchain infrastructure—even if they’ll probably still call it 'the Bitcoin technology.'

How it works: Benji’s integration lets tradfi players tokenize real-world assets (RWAs) on Canton’s privacy-focused network. Think bonds, private equity—the stuff that usually requires a briefcase and a handshake.

The punchline: Banks want decentralization… as long as they control the nodes. Old habits die hard.

Franklin Templeton has integrated its Benji Technology Platform onto the Canton Blockchain, expanding institutional access to tokenized investment products through Canton's Global Collateral Network, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

The MOVE connects Franklin Templeton's proprietary blockchain infrastructure, which powers the firm's tokenized mutual funds and onchain investment products, to Canton's institutional-focused network, creating new liquidity sources for market participants.

Franklin Templeton pioneered tokenized mutual funds in 2021 when it launched the first U.S.-registered fund using blockchain technology to process transactions and record share ownership. The firm has since expanded its tokenized offerings to serve retail, wealth management, institutional, banking, and collateral use cases globally through the Benji platform.

The integration positions Canton's network as a hub for regulated tokenized financial instruments while addressing institutional requirements for privacy and regulatory compliance. Market makers and institutions can now access Franklin Templeton's tokenized products as collateral and liquidity within Canton's ecosystem.

"Our bottom line is to meet institutions where they are, and just as importantly, where they're headed," said Roger Bayston, head of digital assets at Franklin Templeton. "Integrating our Benji Technology Platform with the Canton Network allows us to deliver a private blockchain option alongside the interoperability clients expect."

Canton Network operates as a permissioned blockchain designed specifically for institutional finance, enabling cross-market settlement, collateral mobility, and liquidity management while maintaining the privacy and regulatory standards required by traditional financial institutions.

Georg Schneider, head of real world assets at Digital Asset, which operates the Canton Network, said the integration demonstrates growing momentum behind tokenized finance. "With Franklin Templeton joining the network, institutions gain access to a trusted provider to enhance collateral mobility and deepen liquidity options across our Global Collateral Network."

The expansion adds to Canton's ecosystem of global financial institutions leveraging the network for digital asset infrastructure and tokenized securities trading.