Franklin Templeton Partners With HashKey To Expand Tokenized Fund Access Across Asian Markets

Global asset management firm Franklin Templeton has joined forces with Hong Kong-based digital asset platform HashKey Exchange to make a tokenized money market fund available to investors throughout Asian markets. The collaboration marks another significant step in bringing traditional finance products onto blockchain infrastructure while operating within regulated frameworks.

HashKey Holdings Limited announced that its licensed trading platform has begun distributing Franklin Templeton’s Franklin OnChain US Government Liquidity Fund, known as grBENJI.

The offering went live on HashKey Exchange’s Earn channel on August 24, 2026.

Through this arrangement, eligible digital asset investors gain access to a fund that primarily holds US government money market instruments along with US dollar cash holdings.

Transactions and recordkeeping benefit from blockchain-enabled systems designed to improve transparency, speed, security, and operational efficiency.

The product is restricted to professional investors and is not offered to the general public in Hong Kong.

This limitation aligns with local regulatory requirements and reflects the cautious yet progressive approach both firms are taking toward on-chain investment products.

For Franklin Templeton, the partnership extends the geographic reach of its tokenized fund suite into regulated digital asset venues across Asia.

The firm has already established a presence in the region, including the earlier introduction of a related tokenized money market product in Hong Kong.

HashKey, meanwhile, strengthens its Earn ecosystem by adding a regulated, real-world-asset-backed yield option from a major global manager.

The platform benefits from deeper ties with traditional finance players as institutional demand for compliant yield solutions continues to grow.

Executives from both organizations highlighted the strategic value of the alliance.

Haiyang Ru, CEO of HashKey Exchange BG, described the move as a major milestone for the firm and for Asia’s digital asset sector.

He noted that placing the Franklin fund on the Earn channel directly responds to rising institutional interest in transparent, regulated real-world asset yield products and helps connect conventional markets with secure on-chain infrastructure.

Chetan Karkhanis, Senior Vice President of Digital Assets Client Engagement at Franklin Templeton, expressed enthusiasm about listing the fund on HashKey’s platform.

He pointed to the advantages blockchain technology brings—greater transparency, security, accessibility, speed, and cost efficiency—and framed the launch as an important step in expanding the firm’s footprint.

Karkhanis also indicated that the relationship is expected to grow beyond money market funds.

Future efforts may include additional tokenized products distributed through HashKey’s multi-jurisdictional network, which covers Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Dubai, and Bermuda.

The collaboration arrives as market participants increasingly look for yield-generating instruments supported by real-world assets within compliant digital environments.

By combining Franklin Templeton’s long-standing investment expertise with HashKey’s regulated infrastructure, the two firms aim to create a scalable pathway for institutional and professional investors seeking exposure to established asset managers’ tokenized offerings.

Both parties have signaled interest in exploring further opportunities across different markets and asset classes while maintaining a focus on transparent and regulated real-world asset solutions.

The initiative underscores the ongoing convergence of traditional asset management and digital asset platforms in Asia, where regulatory clarity in key hubs is enabling more sophisticated on-chain products. As tokenization of financial instruments continues to develop, partnerships of this nature illustrate how established managers and licensed digital platforms can work together to broaden access while upholding compliance standards.