Franklin Templeton has introduced Hong Kong’s first tokenized money market fund, expanding its global digital asset strategy through the company’s proprietary Benji Technology platform. The new fund, known as the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund, invests in short-term U.S. government securities and marks a major step in merging traditional finance with blockchain technology. “This launch reflects our ongoing commitment to providing innovative investment solutions that meet the needs of modern investors, expanding the availability of tokenized products in this dynamic market,” said Tariq Ahmad, Head of Asia Pacific at Franklin Templeton. How the Tokenized Fund Works According to the company, the tokenized structure enables faster transactions, greater transparency, and lower costs than traditional funds. The fund is registered in Luxembourg and is available in Hong Kong to institutional and professional investors with assets exceeding HK$8 million (about US$1 million). Plans for Retail Expansion Franklin Templeton also plans to launch a retail investor version, broadening access to tokenized investment products in Asia. “As pioneers in digital assets, we aim to leverage our expertise and Benji Technology to lower barriers and expand access,” said Sandy Kaul, Head of Innovation at Franklin Templeton. She added that collaboration with traditional financial institutions and Web3 platforms will help “accelerate the momentum of the tokenization revolution.” Fintech 2030 and Hong Kong’s Tokenization Strategy The launch supports the Fintech 2030 plan, unveiled by Eddie Yue Wai-man, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). The initiative includes over 40 measures to integrate AI, blockchain, and tokenized deposit frameworks, paving the way for a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in interbank payments. Franklin Templeton is also a participant in Project Ensemble, an HKMA pilot program that includes HSBC and OSL Group, the operator of Hong Kong’s first licensed digital asset trading platform. As part of the collaboration, HSBC is testing tokenized deposits for settlement of OSL client transactions. “Hong Kong is becoming an institutionally trusted hub for digital assets,” said Brian Chen, Head of Asset Management at OSL. “We’re excited to bring Franklin Templeton’s flagship tokenized product to local investors.” Lewis Sun, Global Head of Domestic and Emerging Payments at HSBC, added that the project showcases “the enormous potential of tokenized deposits to enable near-instant, 24/7 settlements.” Expanding the Tokenization Vision This move strengthens Franklin Templeton’s global tokenization roadmap. In September 2025, the firm partnered with DBS and Ripple Labs to launch an institutional platform on the XRP Ledger, featuring the sgBENJI tokenized fund and the RLUSD stablecoin. The company is also reportedly considering a European exchange-traded product (ETP), signaling a broader commitment to bridging traditional finance (TradFi) with blockchain innovation.
