Introduction
Ripple has partnered with DBS Bank and Franklin Templeton to introduce groundbreaking trading and lending tools using tokenized collateral and stablecoins, marking a significant advancement in institutional digital asset infrastructure. The collaboration, centered on DBS Digital Exchange (DDEx), enables institutional clients to exchange stable assets while maintaining liquidity and yield opportunities, effectively bridging traditional markets with blockchain-based liquidity solutions.
Key Points
- DBS Digital Exchange lists Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin and Franklin Templeton's sgBENJI tokenized fund for institutional trading and lending.
- Franklin Templeton expands sgBENJI to XRP Ledger, adding to its presence on seven other blockchains managing over $736M in tokenized assets.
- DBS enables clients to use sgBENJI tokens as collateral for repo agreements and third-party lending platforms, enhancing liquidity options.
Strategic Partnership Creates New Institutional Infrastructure
The September 18 announcement reveals a comprehensive collaboration between Ripple, Singapore’s DBS Bank, and global investment giant Franklin Templeton to develop sophisticated trading and lending tools built around tokenized collateral and stablecoins. This initiative represents a deliberate push to connect traditional financial markets with blockchain-based liquidity, addressing the growing institutional demand for digital asset solutions that combine stability with functionality. The partnership leverages the strengths of each organization: Ripple’s blockchain expertise, DBS Bank’s established financial infrastructure, and Franklin Templeton’s massive asset management capabilities.
At the core of this collaboration is the DBS Digital Exchange (DDEx), which will now list Ripple’s US dollar stablecoin (RLUSD) alongside sgBENJI, the tokenized version of Franklin Templeton’s OnChain US Dollar Short-Term Money Market Fund. This pairing creates a powerful institutional toolset that allows clients to exchange stable assets directly, providing both portfolio flexibility and yield opportunities typically unavailable in volatile cryptocurrency markets. Instead of allocating funds to Bitcoin, Ethereum, or XRP—where sharp price movements can erode value—institutional clients can rotate into sgBENJI while maintaining round-the-clock liquidity.
Executive Vision for Tokenized Securities Institutionalization
Senior executives from all three firms have framed this development as a critical step forward in institutionalizing tokenized securities. Ripple President Monica Long emphasized that tokenized assets must offer genuine utility and liquid secondary markets to achieve their full potential. She pointed to this collaboration as a prime example of how stablecoins and tokenized funds can work synergistically to provide practical financial infrastructure that meets institutional standards.
Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton, reinforced this vision, stating that tokenization has the potential to “reshape the global financial ecosystem.” He specifically highlighted the role of blockchain networks like the XRP Ledger in unlocking new use cases for securities trading and cross-chain functionality. According to RWA.xyz data, Franklin Templeton’s fund is already live on seven other blockchains, including Stellar, Arbitrum, and Base, and currently manages more than $736 million in tokenized assets, demonstrating the scalability and institutional acceptance of tokenized financial products.
Expanding Cross-Chain Functionality and Collateral Options
A significant component of this initiative involves Franklin Templeton expanding its token interoperability by launching sgBENJI on the XRP Ledger. This expansion is expected to push adoption further and strengthen cross-chain functionality, allowing the tokenized fund to operate across multiple blockchain environments seamlessly. The integration with XRP Ledger represents a strategic move to enhance the fund’s accessibility and utility within the broader digital asset ecosystem.
Concurrently, DBS is preparing to allow institutional clients to post sgBENJI tokens as collateral for repurchase agreements with banks or as security on third-party lending platforms. This development extends liquidity channels for institutional investors while providing lenders with the assurance of tokenized, regulated fund exposure. The ability to use tokenized money market funds as collateral represents a significant advancement in digital asset utility, potentially transforming how institutions manage liquidity and collateral requirements.
The combination of RLUSD stablecoin availability, sgBENJI token integration, and expanded collateral options creates a comprehensive ecosystem for institutional digital asset management. This infrastructure enables institutions to navigate between stable assets, access yield opportunities, and utilize tokenized assets as functional financial instruments rather than merely speculative investments.
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