Franklin Templeton Launched Blockchain Fund Records in 2021

The fund uses blockchain technology to provide investors with daily dividend distributions and 24/7 market access.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Investing

Isometric editorial illustration featuring a polished token on glass slabs, representing blockchain-based fund accounting. — Franklin Templeton's government money fund pioneered the use of the Stellar blockchain to automate share ownership records and daily dividend distributions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you trust blockchain-based records to manage your personal financial investments?

Franklin Templeton debuted the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX) on the Stellar network in 2021. It was the first U.S.-registered mutual fund to maintain its official ownership records on a public blockchain.

Why it matters

By recording share ownership directly on a public ledger, the fund improves transaction efficiency and provides investors with daily yield distributions directly to their digital wallets.

The BENJI suite held $1.98 billion in assets as of April 29, 2026, supported by a 140% increase in investor count from April 2024 to March 2026. Cumulative peer-to-peer transfer volume for these tokens reached $211 million by March 31, 2026.

The players

Franklin Templeton

A global investment management firm that provides mutual funds, ETFs, and retirement planning products.

Binance

A global cryptocurrency exchange that provides digital asset trading and institutional custody services.

The details

The fund operates by tokenizing share ownership, allowing the ledger to update automatically rather than relying on traditional clearinghouse delays. This infrastructure enables 24/7 market access and facilitates the use of shares as off-exchange collateral, a feature expanded through a partnership with Binance in February 2026. Investors receive yield distributions paid directly to their associated digital wallets, streamlining the receipt of daily dividends.

The FOBXX fund launched on the Stellar network in 2021.
The BENJI investor count rose more than 140% between April 2024 and March 2026.
Franklin Templeton and Binance announced a collateral partnership in February 2026.
Reported AUM and transfer volumes reflect data as of March 31, 2026.
The firm reported BENJI assets under management as of April 29, 2026.

Money Landscape

The 2021 launch of the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund marked the first instance of a U.S.-registered mutual fund utilizing a public blockchain for record-keeping. This shift represents a transition from traditional manual clearing to automated ledger technology.

Investors considering tokenized funds should review the specific digital wallet requirements and the risks associated with blockchain-based asset maintenance. Before changing how you hold cash equivalents, discuss the liquidity and collateral implications with a financial professional.

The takeaway

Blockchain integration in funds enables 24/7 liquidity and direct dividend payments, changing how investors interact with cash-equivalent assets. Always verify the regulatory registration of any digital-asset fund before allocating capital to ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance.