Franklin Templeton and Ondo Finance Push Tokenized ETFs Into 24 7 Markets Through Crypto Wallet Access

In a move that underscores the accelerating convergence between traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure,span>Franklin Templeton/span> has partnered withspan>Ondo Finance/span> to launch tokenized versions of exchange-traded funds, enabling continuous trading through crypto wallets across global markets.

The initiative introduces a new distribution model that bypasses conventional brokerage systems, offering investors direct onchain exposure to a diversified set of assets including equities, fixed income instruments and gold. Initially targeted at non-US investors in regions such as Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America, the rollout reflects both regulatory constraints and growing international demand for blockchain-based financial products.

Under the proposed structure, Ondo will acquire shares of Franklin Templeton’s ETFs and tokenize them via a special-purpose vehicle. Rather than holding the underlying securities directly, investors will gain economic exposure through blockchain-issued tokens, which mirror the performance of the assets. This design allows the tokens to be integrated into decentralized finance ecosystems, where they can be used as collateral or embedded into automated financial strategies.

The model represents a fundamental shift in how financial instruments are accessed and utilized. By enabling 24-hour trading outside traditional market hours, the partnership challenges the temporal limitations of legacy exchanges and aligns asset availability with the always-on nature of digital markets. Liquidity for these tokenized instruments will be supported by Ondo’s network of market makers, ensuring tradability even during periods when conventional exchanges are closed.

The first phase of the launch will include five funds spanning multiple asset classes, distributed through Ondo Global Markets. While specific fund names have not been publicly detailed, the selection is expected to mirror widely held exposures to US equities, government and corporate bonds, and commodities such as gold. The offering is particularly tailored to investors who already operate within crypto-native environments, using stablecoins and digital wallets as their primary financial interface.

This development arrives amid rapid growth in the tokenized asset sector. Market data indicates that tokenized equities have nearly doubled in value over the past year, rising from approximately $500 million in early 2025 to close to $1 billion by March 2026. Within this landscape, Ondo Finance has emerged as a dominant player, commanding a significant share of the market and positioning itself at the forefront of real-world asset tokenization.

The broader ecosystem is also evolving quickly. Competitors such asspan>Backed Finance/span> andspan>Securitize/span> continue to expand their offerings, while major crypto exchanges are entering the space with derivative products tied to traditional assets. Platforms likespan>Kraken/span> andspan>Coinbase/span> have already introduced tokenized or synthetic exposure to equities and commodities for non-US users, further blurring the boundaries between asset classes.

Despite this momentum, regulatory fragmentation remains a key obstacle. In the United States, access to tokenized equities is still limited, with authorities maintaining a cautious stance on blockchain-based securities. However, signs of progress are emerging. Thespan>New York Stock Exchange/span> has recently entered discussions with Securitize to explore blockchain-enabled trading infrastructure, suggesting that institutional adoption may be on the horizon.

For Franklin Templeton, the partnership reflects a strategic effort to modernize distribution channels and remain competitive in a rapidly digitizing financial landscape. For Ondo, it reinforces its position as a bridge between traditional asset managers and decentralized finance.

As tokenization continues to reshape capital markets, the ability to trade traditional assets seamlessly across time zones and platforms could redefine investor expectations. The collaboration between these two firms signals that the future of asset management may not lie in replacing existing systems, but in extending them into a borderless, always-on financial architecture.