BNB Hits ATH as TradFi and DeFi Unite: Binance-Franklin Templeton Form Strategic Partnership

In a landmark move for both traditional finance and the crypto industry, Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, announced a strategic partnership with Franklin Templeton (FT) on September 10, 2025.

The news immediately boosted BNB to an all-time high of $907, reflecting strong investor optimism. This collaboration highlights the growing convergence of TradFi and DeFi and opens a path for institutional-grade RWA tokenization.

Franklin Templeton and Binance: A Complementary Partnership

Franklin Templeton

• A legacy asset management powerhouse with over $1.6 trillion in assets under management

• Strong compliance and regulatory relationships, with a highly trusted institutional client base in Europe and the U.S.

• Previous small-scale initiatives in crypto, including the BENJI Token, a tokenized U.S. government money market fund

Binance

• One of the world’s largest crypto exchanges with unmatched liquidity and global user base of over 280 million

• Customers primarily include retail traders and crypto-native participants, especially active in Asia and Africa

• Strong trading and on-chain infrastructure but historically limited regulatory coverage in some regions

Together, Franklin Templeton and Binance form a complementary partnership in which FT provides the regulatory framework and compliant tokenized products, while Binance delivers global market access, trading infrastructure, and unmatched liquidity.

The synergy enables hybrid offerings that combine TradFi stability with DeFi efficiency, opening new pathways for tokenized assets to scale.

In terms of market positioning, the partnership also introduces direct competition with BlackRock and Coinbase, whose collaboration has centered on tokenized ETFs and institutional adoption.

Potential Products and Business Models

• BENJI Token: FT’s tokenized money market fund could be listed and traded directly on Binance.

• Tokenized Bonds and Equity Funds: FT provides compliant yield streams, Binance facilitates trading and liquidity, allowing users to buy “on-chain” fund shares seamlessly.

• Hybrid Yield Packages: Combining chain-off yields from traditional instruments with on-chain DeFi returns.

• Institutional Expansion: Binance can leverage FT’s network to access mid-sized asset managers, banks, and pension funds.

• Revenue Streams: Subscription fees for fund access, trading commission shares—creating a new line of revenue for both parties.

Implications for BNB and the Crypto Industry

The Binance-Franklin Templeton partnership is expected to have a significant impact on both BNB and the broader crypto ecosystem. Following the announcement, BNB surged to an all-time high of $907, up 191% from the previous year, as traders anticipated increased on-chain activity from FT tokenized products.

Key implications for BNB include:

• Increased On-Chain Activity: FT tokenized assets may use BNB for gas fees or as collateral in DeFi protocols.

• Supply Reduction: Higher transaction volumes will trigger BNB burns, enhancing scarcity and long-term value.

• Price Potential: Analysts project BNB could test $1,000 in the near term, reinforcing its role beyond exchange utility and establishing it as a key player in the growing RWA market.

At the same time, the partnership highlights the broader maturation of the crypto industry:

• Institutional Credibility for RWA: Real-world asset tokenization, projected to reach $10 trillion by 2030, is gaining traction as Binance’s global reach combines with Franklin Templeton’s regulatory expertise.

• Access to Institutional Capital: The deal could unlock billions, enabling bonds, stocks, and funds to trade 24/7 on-chain with enhanced transparency and efficiency.

• Global Inclusion: Binance’s focus on emerging markets promotes financial inclusion, while FT reassures Western investors with its compliance framework.

• Catalyst for TradFi Adoption: Other traditional finance players may follow, driving broader adoption and innovation in DeFi hybrids.

Despite these opportunities, risks remain, including regulatory hurdles, integration challenges, market volatility, and security considerations for tokenized assets.

TradFi Meets DeFi: A Milestone in Digital Finance

The partnership between Binance and Franklin Templeton marks a significant milestone in the deep integration of traditional finance and crypto infrastructure.

• For Binance: Strengthens institutional credibility and opens new revenue streams

• For BNB: Enhances utility and reinforces long-term value

• For the crypto industry: Validates RWA tokenization as a viable path toward mainstream adoption

This collaboration is not only a strategic alignment but also a potential redefinition of how traditional and digital assets can coexist, providing a blueprint for the future of global digital finance.