TLDR
- Franklin Templeton and Ondo Finance are partnering to launch tokenized ETFs accessible through crypto wallets
- The products will initially be available to non-US investors across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America
- Five funds covering US equities, fixed income and gold will be distributed through Ondo Global Markets
- Tokens are issued via a special-purpose vehicle, giving holders economic exposure without owning the underlying shares
- The tokenized equity market has grown from around $500 million in early 2025 to roughly $950 million as of March 2026
Franklin Templeton, one of the world’s largest asset managers with around $1.7 trillion under management, is partnering with blockchain firm Ondo Finance to offer tokenized versions of its exchange-traded funds.
We’re excited to announce that Ondo has partnered with Franklin Templeton (@FTDA_US), one of the world’s largest asset managers with $1.7T AUM.
Together, we’re bringing exposure to Franklin Templeton-managed investment products onchain through Ondo Global Markets. pic.twitter.com/vY2AqbiMm7
— Ondo Finance (@OndoFinance) March 25, 2026
The products will be accessible through crypto wallets, bypassing the need for a traditional brokerage account. Investors will be able to gain exposure to US equities, fixed income, and gold through digital tokens.
The deal was first reported by Bloomberg and later confirmed by Ondo Finance on X. Neither company responded immediately to requests for additional comment.
Under the structure, Ondo will buy shares of Franklin Templeton ETFs and issue tokens through a special-purpose vehicle. Token holders receive rights to the economic returns of those assets, but not the underlying shares themselves.
The tokens can be used as collateral or plugged into decentralized finance applications. Liquidity will be provided by Ondo’s market makers, including outside regular trading hours, enabling round-the-clock access.
Five funds will be included in the initial rollout, distributed through Ondo Global Markets. That platform launched in September 2025 and currently reports over $620 million in total value locked and more than $12 billion in trading volume across around 60,000 users.
The partnership also includes plans for education programs aimed at crypto-native users who may be less familiar with long-term investment strategies in traditional markets.
Products Available Outside the US First
The initial launch will cover Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America. US access will depend on further regulatory clarity.
In December 2025, the US Securities and Exchange Commission closed a multi-year investigation into Ondo Finance without bringing any charges.
The tokenized equity market has been growing. Total value rose from roughly $500 million in early 2025 to around $950 million as of March 2026, according to data from RWA.xyz. Ondo currently leads the sector with around $562 million, or about 60% of total market share.
Other players in the space include Backed Finance and its xStocks products, along with Securitize.
Other Firms Are Moving in the Same Direction
In February, Kraken launched tokenized equity perpetual futures on its regulated derivatives platform, giving eligible non-US clients leveraged exposure to US stock indexes, gold, and companies like Nvidia, Apple and Tesla.
Last week, Coinbase launched stock perpetual futures for eligible non-US users, expanding round-the-clock access to equities alongside crypto and prediction markets.
On Tuesday, the New York Stock Exchange signed an agreement with Securitize to explore blockchain-based trading of stocks and ETFs. It is not yet clear when or how those products would become available to US investors.
Franklin Templeton has also worked previously with Binance on tokenization efforts, and has developed other digital asset tools alongside this latest Ondo partnership.
