Global asset management giant Franklin Templeton is expanding its digital asset footprint through a strategic partnership with MoonPay. This collaboration enables institutional investors to move seamlessly between stablecoins and the firm’s tokenized money market fund via an efficient, on-chain workflow.
Bridging Stablecoins and Real-World Assets
The integration connects Franklin Templeton’s proprietary Benji Technology Platform with MoonPay Trade infrastructure. Eligible institutions can now swap supported stablecoins for exposure to the asset manager’s tokenized products and back again, entirely within blockchain networks.
The move comes as the $1.74 trillion asset manager deepens its commitment to Web3. Earlier this year, the firm established Franklin Crypto, a dedicated division focused on active digital asset strategies, while continuing to build out tokenized versions of traditional financial instruments.
“We trade 24/7 in the crypto markets. Unlike traditional money market funds, which typically require investors to hold positions through the end of a trading day to receive interest, tokenized funds can distribute yield based on the precise period an investor holds the asset,” said Sandy Kaul, Head of Innovation and Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton.
The Vision of a Universal Liquidity Layer
According to Kaul, the industry is moving toward a major milestone. The firm views 2026 as “the year of the universal liquidity layer,” where stablecoins, tokenized funds, and other digital currencies become fully interoperable across trading, lending, and collateral applications.
Key Benefits of the Integration:
- On-Chain Efficiency: No need to exit blockchain networks to rebalance portfolios.
- Continuous Yield: Interest is distributed based on the exact duration of asset ownership.
- Institutional Grade: Combines regulated financial products with decentralized speed.
For MoonPay, this alliance represents a significant expansion beyond retail fiat-to-crypto on-ramps. By facilitating entry into tokenized real-world assets (RWA), MoonPay is positioning itself as a key infrastructure provider for institutional DeFi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does the Franklin Templeton and MoonPay partnership achieve?
It allows institutional investors to swap stablecoins directly for Franklin Templeton’s tokenized money market fund using an on-chain workflow.
How does yield distribution work in this tokenized fund?
Unlike traditional funds that require holding assets until the end of the business day, this tokenized fund distributes yield based on the precise timeframe the investor holds the asset, operating 24/7.
