Franklin Templeton expands Benji platform to Canton Network and DigiFT

Franklin Templeton announced a strategic extension of its Benji Technology Platform, first through a partnership with regulated exchange DigiFT in Singapore and Hong Kong, and later by integrating the platform onto the Canton Network blockchain for global institutional clients [1][2]. The moves aim to increase access to tokenized investment products and provide new sources of liquidity and collateral for institutional finance.

Key takeaways

• Franklin Templeton and DigiFT will distribute Benji tokenization products to accredited investors via DigiFT’s licensed platforms in Singapore and Hong Kong [1].
• The Benji platform, which underpinned the firm’s first blockchain‑based U.S. mutual fund in 2021, is now live on the Canton Network, linking to its Global Collateral Network [2][3].
• Both collaborations target institutional demand for regulated, privacy‑preserving tokenized assets, including U.S. government securities with continuous yield accrual [1][2].
• Market makers such as QCP plan to use the Canton integration as a new liquidity source, while DigiFT will serve as a key distributor across Asia [2][3].
• The partnerships come as tokenized real‑world assets on public blockchains grew from $5.5 billion to $18.6 billion in 2025, highlighting rapid market expansion [1].

DigiFT partnership brings Asian distribution capability

In May 2026, Franklin Templeton and DigiFT formalized a long‑term strategic partnership to make the Benji Technology Platform available to accredited and institutional investors through DigiFT’s regulated exchange. DigiFT holds Capital Markets Services and Recognised Market Operator licences from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Type 1 and Type 4 licences from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission, enabling it to distribute regulated securities tokens in those jurisdictions [1]. The collaboration leverages DigiFT’s “institution‑grade” platform to broaden the reach of tokenized products, including strategies that employ Franklin Templeton’s patent‑pending Intraday Yield mechanism for continuous yield on U.S. government securities [1].

Henry Zhang, founder and CEO of DigiFT, emphasized the firm’s conviction that institutional investors need on‑chain financial instruments that meet regulatory standards, while Chetan Karkhanis of Franklin Templeton highlighted the partnership’s long‑term focus on bringing blockchain benefits to the industry [1]. The joint effort arrives amid a surge in tokenized asset volumes, which grew to $18.6 billion in 2025, underscoring a structural inefficiency where institutional capital often sits idle in stablecoins rather than yielding assets [1].

Canton Network integration unlocks global collateral liquidity

A separate announcement in November 2025 detailed the integration of the Benji Technology Platform onto the Canton Network, a permissionless blockchain built for institutional finance. The move provides global institutional clients seamless access to Franklin Templeton’s tokenized products through Canton’s Global Collateral Network, creating new liquidity sources for participants such as market maker QCP [2][3]. Roger Bayston, head of digital assets at Franklin Templeton, described the integration as delivering a private blockchain option that maintains transparency and security while meeting institutional privacy and compliance needs [2].