TLDR
- Ondo Finance announced plans for Ondo Chain, a new blockchain designed specifically for tokenizing real-world assets, with backing from major Wall Street institutions including Franklin Templeton and Wellington Management.
- A Trump-linked project, World Liberty Financial, purchased $470,000 worth of ONDO tokens shortly before Donald Trump Jr. appeared as a surprise speaker at the Ondo Summit.
- The ONDO token is currently ranked 33rd among cryptocurrencies with a $4.3 billion market cap, according to CoinGecko.
- Major financial institutions have shown increasing interest in real-world asset tokenization, including supportive statements from BlackRock’s Larry Fink and Franklin Templeton’s Jenny Johnson.
- Google Cloud and several traditional asset managers served as design advisors for the Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible chain.
Ondo Finance unveiled its plans for a specialized blockchain platform aimed at bringing traditional financial assets into the digital age. The announcement of Ondo Chain marks a new chapter in the growing intersection between traditional finance and blockchain technology.
The new layer-1 blockchain, announced on February 7, 2025, is designed specifically for tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs). This specialized focus sets it apart from general-purpose blockchain networks, as it targets institutional-grade financial markets and traditional asset management.
The project has attracted attention from major players in traditional finance. Franklin Templeton, Wellington Management, and WisdomTree have all participated as design advisors for the new chain. Google Cloud has also joined the advisory team, bringing technical expertise to the project.
On the same day as the announcement, blockchain analytics platform Arkham Intelligence reported that World Liberty Financial, a crypto project with strong ties to former President Trump, made a $470,000 purchase of ONDO tokens. This investment preceded Donald Trump Jr.’s appearance as the closing speaker at Thursday’s Ondo Summit event.
World Liberty Financial, which provides crypto borrowing and lending services, has maintained close connections with the Trump brand since its launch in August. The former president has promoted the project, while his son has been actively involved in its development and promotion.
The ONDO token, which operates on the Ethereum blockchain, has established itself as a major player in the cryptocurrency market. Current data from CoinGecko places it as the 33rd largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, with a value of $4.3 billion.
1/ Today, we’re thrilled to announce Ondo Chain, our new Layer 1 blockchain purpose-built for institutional-grade RWAs.
Design advisors for the chain include new members of the Ondo Ecosystem: Franklin Templeton, Wellington Management, WisdomTree, Google Cloud, ABN Amro, Aon,… pic.twitter.com/a35GHB7OFW
— Ondo Finance (@OndoFinance) February 6, 2025
The new blockchain platform aims to address several key challenges in traditional finance. According to Ondo Finance, the chain will enable improved transparency in asset management and reduce the potential for fraud. Additionally, it will create opportunities for clients to earn yield on their tokenized assets.
The technical architecture of Ondo Chain includes compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing it to integrate with the broader Ethereum ecosystem while maintaining its specialized focus on real-world asset tokenization.
Traditional finance leaders have expressed growing interest in asset tokenization. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has specifically praised Ethereum’s potential in transforming financial markets through tokenization. Franklin Templeton’s CEO Jenny Johnson has also voiced support for blockchain technology’s role in changing how securities function.
The platform’s focus on institutional-grade infrastructure suggests a move toward more regulated and standardized approaches to digital asset management. This approach aligns with increasing demands from traditional financial institutions for robust, compliant blockchain solutions.
Asset managers using the platform will have the ability to tokenize various types of traditional assets. This process involves creating digital representations of real-world assets on the blockchain, potentially increasing their accessibility and liquidity.
The development team has emphasized the importance of maintaining high security standards while facilitating easier access to traditional financial products. The involvement of established financial institutions as design advisors suggests a focus on meeting regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Ondo Chain’s launch comes at a time when the financial industry is actively exploring blockchain applications. The platform’s development reflects growing interest from traditional finance in digital asset infrastructure.
Technical details of the platform indicate it will support various types of tokenized assets while maintaining compatibility with existing Ethereum-based systems and tools. This compatibility could make it easier for current crypto users to interact with tokenized traditional assets.
The immediate market response included increased trading activity around the ONDO token, with particular attention following the World Liberty Financial investment and Donald Trump Jr.’s summit appearance.
The post Ondo Finance Launches Specialized Blockchain for Real-World Asset Tokenization appeared first on Blockonomi.