Binance Partners Franklin Templeton on Digital Asset Products

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has announced a strategic partnership with Franklin Templeton, the $1.6 trillion asset manager, to develop digital asset products that combine traditional finance expertise with blockchain infrastructure.

The collaboration, announced Wednesday, will focus on creating solutions that merge Franklin Templeton's "expertise in the compliant tokenization of securities with Binance’s global trading infrastructure and investor reach." The firms aim to deliver products offering improved efficiency, transparency and accessibility in capital markets.

Franklin Templeton has been among the more crypto-forward traditional asset managers, launching blockchain-based money market funds and developing its Benji platform for tokenized assets. The partnership could extend these institutional-grade solutions to Binance's broader investor base.

"We see blockchain not as a threat to legacy systems, but as an opportunity to reimagine them," said Sandy Kaul, Franklin Templeton's head of innovation. The firm views the partnership as a way to bridge traditional and decentralized finance through tokenization technology.

Roger Bayston, Franklin Templeton's head of digital assets, emphasized the practical applications, noting the goal is "to take tokenization from concept to practice for clients to achieve efficiencies in settlement, collateral management, and portfolio construction at scale."

The announcement comes as institutional interest in digital assets continues growing, with traditional financial firms seeking ways to offer crypto exposure while maintaining regulatory compliance. Franklin Templeton's involvement lends institutional credibility to Binance, which has faced regulatory scrutiny in various jurisdictions.

Catherine Chen, Binance's head of VIP and institutional services, positioned the partnership as part of the exchange's efforts to "bridge crypto with traditional capital markets." Binance has been expanding its institutional offerings as it seeks to diversify beyond retail trading.

The firms did not disclose specific products or launch timelines, stating that additional details will be shared later this year.