Franklin Templeton Backs Wallet-Native Future at Ondo Summit

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-02-04Last updated on 2026-02-04

Abstract

At the Ondo Summit in New York, Franklin Templeton outlined a vision for a "wallet-native" financial ecosystem, shifting from traditional account-based models to tokenized digital wallets. The company’s Head of Innovation, Sandy Kaul, stated these wallets will eventually hold the entirety of an individual’s financial life. Through its blockchain platform Benji, Franklin Templeton is tokenizing traditional assets like stocks, bonds, and private funds—not just cryptocurrencies. This model allows assets held across institutions to be represented as tokens on a blockchain, enabling rapid collateralization—such as using tokenized S&P 500 investments to secure loans in seconds. Summit participants from firms like Fidelity and State Street indicated tokenization has moved beyond proof-of-concept to operational use. Franklin Templeton highlighted blockchain’s cost efficiency, citing potential processing cost reductions of up to 82%. The firm has launched several digital asset ETFs, including Bitcoin and Ethereum products, and plans to expand into layer-1 blockchain tokens. CEO Jenny Johnson expects increased institutional investment in tokenized vehicles this year, broadening access to asset classes like private equity and high-yield credit.

The officials of Franklin Templeton traced a vision for virtual wallet-based finance at the Ondo Summit in New York on Tuesday, forecasting an essential shift away from traditional account-based asset management.

The Head of Innovation at Franklin Templeton, Sandy Kaul, mentioned that tokenised digital wallets will in the end hold the “totality” of the financial life of an individual, as per remarks offered at the summit.

The transition shows a move toward what the company referred to as a “wallet-native” ecosystem. The asset manager has been executing this strategy via its proprietary blockchain platform, Benji, which the firm reported is being used to tokenise traditional stocks, bonds, and private funds over simple cryptocurrency products.

As per the proposed model, in the current scenario, assets held over various institutions, comprising stocks at brokerages, savings in banks, and real estate in paper deeds, would be shown as tokens on a blockchain.

The system would permit quick collateralisation, permitting tokenised holdings like S&P 500 investments to safeguard loans within seconds, as per the presentation of the company. The officials from Fidelity, State Street, and WisdomTree took part in the summit and signalled that tokenisation has advanced from the proof-of-concept stage to operational infrastructure, as per the summit reports.

What Did The CEO Says?

Franklin Templeton mentioned that public blockchain record-keeping costs prominently less than legacy systems. The data from Industry quoted at the summit showed that adopting blockchain infrastructure can suppress overall processing costs by up to 82%.

The company has rolled out various spot digital asset exchange-traded funds as part of its tokenisation strategy. The lineup of the product comprises funds offering direct Bitcoin exposure, native Ethereum exposure via the Benji platform, and a diversified portfolio of digital assets.

The firm noted plans to widen into tokens made on layer-1 blockchain networks. The chief executive officer, Jenny Johnson, mentioned that this year would mark surged institutional investment beyond Bitcoin holdings into tokenised investment vehicles.

The products are made to offer wider access to asset classes like private equity and high-yield credit, as mentioned by the firm.

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