Ondo Finance said it would work with Franklin Templeton to offer tokenized versions of traditional investment products to blockchain users, a step that reflects a broader push to merge conventional finance with crypto infrastructure.
The effort focuses on Ondo Global Markets, a platform that issues blockchain-based tokens backed by real-world assets such as publicly traded stocks and exchange-traded funds. These tokens track the value of underlying securities and can be held in digital wallets, allowing users to gain exposure without opening a brokerage account.
Franklin Templeton, which manages approximately $1.7 trillion in assets, will provide investment products and support the rollout. The companies also plan to launch educational programs aimed at native crypto users who may not be familiar with long-term portfolio strategies.
The partnership builds on a growing trend of large asset managers testing blockchain rails to distribute products. Franklin Templeton has already developed digital asset tools, while others, including BlackRock, have explored tokenized funds and on-chain settlement.
Ondo Global Markets, launched in September 2025, reports a total value locked of over $620 million and a trading volume of over $12 billion for 60,000 users. The company says demand comes from users who want exposure to traditional markets without the friction of cross-border accounts, currency conversions or trading hours.
The implications go beyond convenience. Tokenization could reshape how assets move and who can access them. Traditional markets operate with limited hours and multiple layers of intermediaries. In contrast, blockchain systems operate 24 hours a day and allow direct ownership through wallets.
However, this change will test how far tokenized securities can go under existing rules. Regulators have yet to fully consider how these instruments should be treated as they cross borders and wallets rather than brokers.
Competition is also growing. A growing number of companies are now offering tokenized funds, and major financial players are considering how to defend their role as gatekeepers. If based on blockchain
If distribution gains traction, it could wipe out the advantage long held by banks and brokers who control access to markets.
For Ondo and Franklin Templeton, the bet is that investors will prefer a model mixing familiar assets and new rails.
