Franklin Templeton & Ondo Launch 24/7 Tokenized ETFs

Franklin Templeton, managing $1.7 trillion in assets, is partnering with Ondo Finance to launch tokenized versions of its ETFs, enabling 24/7 trading directly from crypto wallets. Initially targeting investors in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America, the move bypasses traditional brokerage accounts and trading hour limitations. Ondo Finance will purchase ETF shares and issue tokens representing ownership of the return stream, not the underlying shares, allowing for use in DeFi applications. Five ETFs – covering US equities, fixed income, and gold – are included in the initial rollout. This collaboration reflects a growing trend of merging traditional finance with blockchain infrastructure, with other firms like BlackRock also exploring tokenization. While a US launch depends on regulatory clarity, Franklin Templeton has been building on-chain infrastructure since 2021. Ondo Finance has already seen significant traction with over $2.69 billion in total value locked. The partnership aims to attract crypto-native investors to traditional asset classes and increase accessibility.