The new Franklin Onchain U.S. Dollar Short‑Term Money Market Fund allows investors in Singapore to participate with a minimum investment of just $20, enabled by fractional ownership on a blockchain-based platform.
Franklin Templeton, in partnership with DBS Bank, has launched Singapore’s first retail tokenised fund, the Franklin Onchain U.S. Dollar Short‑Term Money Market Fund. Approved by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as an authorised scheme, the fund marks a significant financial innovation milestone in bringing institutional-grade investment strategies to retail investors via blockchain technology.
Due to the fractional ownership operation model, the fund offers a very affordable investing threshold, allowing participation with a minimum investment of just $20. Initially, the blockchain-based investment product is available to DBS wealth clients and accredited investors, with wider retail access expected in Q1 2026.
Using Franklin Templeton’s proprietary “Benji Technology Platform,” the fund provides real-time data, daily yield accrual, and enhanced transparency, all while mirroring a Luxembourg-domiciled money market fund with more than 30 years of track record.
Singapore’s new tokenised retail fund is part of a growing trend across the Asia-Pacific region. In Hong Kong, Franklin Templeton has earlier introduced a tokenised money-market fund for professional investors, while China Asset Management (Hong Kong) launched a retail tokenised HKD money-market fund distributed through OSL Digital Securities. Meanwhile, the Bosera USD Money Market ETF, issued in partnership with HashKey Group, represents one of the region’s first tokenised money-market ETFs.
Compared with these regional offerings, however, the Singapore fund stands out for its ultra-low entry point and clear retail orientation, combining established fund management with blockchain-driven accessibility. While Hong Kong and other regional products target professional investors or pilot retail access, Singapore’s product signals an explicit push toward mass-market adoption.
By lowering entry barriers and providing real-time visibility into fund performance, tokenised funds like this one may redefine retail investing, offering new levels of accessibility, liquidity, and operational efficiency. MAS approval of the novel investment product demonstrates the regulator’s confidence in using blockchain for real-world asset tokenisation, not only underscoring Singapore’s ambition to become a hub for regulated digital and crypto assets but also potentially paving the way for similar products across APAC.
