The race to tokenize traditional assets is accelerating as asset managers, fintechs and crypto firms build competing platforms to bring stocks, funds and bonds onto blockchain infrastructure.
Key Takeaways:
- Ondo Finance is partnering with Franklin Templeton to bring tokenized stocks and ETFs onchain.
- Bitpanda is launching a MiCA-compliant layer-2 for tokenized assets.
- Startale Group raised $63 million to expand tokenization and stablecoin infrastructure.
- The tokenized asset market is projected to grow to $13.5 trillion by 2030, accelerating competition across finance and crypto.
Ondo And Franklin Templeton Push Tokenized Securities
Ondo Finance is deepening its push into tokenized finance through a partnership with Franklin Templeton, aiming to bring traditional investment products onto blockchain infrastructure.
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 collaboration will center on Ondo Global Markets, a platform that issues blockchain-based tokens backed by real-world assets such as publicly traded stocks and exchange-traded funds. These tokenized instruments mirror the value of underlying securities and can be held directly in digital wallets, allowing users to gain exposure without relying on traditional brokerage accounts.
Franklin Templeton, which manages roughly $1.7 trillion in assets, will supply the underlying products and support education efforts for crypto-native users. The initiative reflects a broader trend among asset managers exploring blockchain rails as an alternative distribution channel.
Bitpanda Builds Regulated Layer-2 for Europe
At the same time, Bitpanda is moving to position itself as a key infrastructure provider for tokenized finance in Europe.
The company said it is developing Vision Chain, an Ethereum layer-2 built using Optimism’s OP Stack, designed to allow banks and fintechs to issue and manage tokenized assets within existing European regulatory frameworks, including MiCA and MiFID II.
We’ve spent years making investing accessible.
Now, together with @vsntoken, we’re building the infrastructure to bring European institutions onchain.
Built on the @Optimism OP stack, Vision Chain combines the security and openness of Ethereum with a framework designed for the… https://t.co/QdLoovEwOn
— Bitpanda (@Bitpanda_global) March 25, 2026
Bitpanda is pitching the platform as a compliant, institution-ready environment where traditional assets such as stocks, bonds and funds can be tokenized and traded onchain. By combining rollup technology with custody and compliance tools, the firm aims to lower the barrier for regulated institutions entering the space.
The strategy builds on Bitpanda’s existing partnerships with banks in Germany and Austria, positioning the platform as a plug-and-play solution for institutions that want exposure to tokenization without building infrastructure internally.
Tokenization Expands Market Access And Competition
The broader push into tokenized assets reflects a rapidly growing market opportunity.
According to research from Mordor Intelligence, the tokenization market is expected to expand from $2.08 trillion in 2025 to $13.55 trillion by 2030, implying annual growth of roughly 45% as more real-world assets move onchain.
Platforms like Ondo Global Markets are already seeing traction, with over $620 million in total value locked and more than $12 billion in trading volume across 60,000 users. The appeal lies in accessibility – offering round-the-clock trading, direct ownership through wallets and fewer geographic barriers.
However, regulatory uncertainty and intensifying competition remain key challenges. As more players enter the space, banks, brokers and fintech firms are all vying to define their role in a changing market structure.
Startale Raises $63 Million to Build Onchain Ecosystem
Separately, Startale Group raised $63 million in a Series A round, underscoring continued investor interest in the infrastructure layer of tokenized finance.
The round included $50 million from SBI Group and $13 million from Sony Innovation Fund.
Startale is developing a broad suite of blockchain tools, including Strium for tokenized securities, stablecoins such as JPYSC and USDSC, and a consumer-facing application linked to the Sony-backed Soneium network. The company said it aims to evolve into a “super app” integrating payments, asset management and onchain services.
Infrastructure Race Accelerates Across Tokenized Markets
Taken together, the moves by Ondo, Franklin Templeton, Bitpanda and Startale illustrate a rapidly intensifying race to build the infrastructure underpinning tokenized finance.
Traditional asset managers are focusing on distribution, bringing familiar products onto blockchain rails. Crypto-native firms and fintechs are building the technical layers required to support issuance, settlement and user access.
As tokenization shifts from experimentation to implementation, the competition is no longer just about assets – but about who controls the platforms that will define how those assets are created, traded and accessed in a digital-first financial system.
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