A quiet shift is happening in how people around the globe access American markets. It is a story of digital assets meeting traditional finance. Ondo Finance, a name many in the crypto space know, just made a significant move. They are bringing their tokenized US stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to the BNB Chain.
- Ondo Finance is expanding its tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs platform to the BNB Chain, enabling non-U.S. investors to access American equities 24/7 with blockchain settlement.
- The move leverages BNB Chain’s large global user base, particularly in Asia and Latin America, to offer a faster, more cost-efficient, and interoperable trading environment.
- Ondo Finance has demonstrated significant growth, with a total value locked of nearly $1.8 billion, and has been actively building its capabilities through funding rounds and strategic acquisitions.
This expansion is more than just a technical upgrade. It opens the door for millions of non-U.S. investors to trade American equities. They can do this around the clock, with blockchain handling the settlement and custody. Think of it as a global trading desk that never closes, powered by code.
Ondo Global Markets first launched in September on the Ethereum network. It quickly gathered steam. The platform offers access to over 100 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs. These are all available onchain, meaning they live on a blockchain.
The initial success was striking. Within weeks, the platform saw its total value locked (TVL) climb past $350 million. TVL is simply the total amount of assets held within a DeFi protocol. This early momentum also drove more than $669 million in total onchain volume. These numbers show a clear appetite for tokenized real-world assets.
Expanding the Reach: Why BNB Chain?
So, why BNB Chain for this next step? Nathan Allman, Ondo Finance CEO, offered a clear reason. He pointed to BNB Chain’s vast and active global user base. This network is particularly strong in regions like Asia and Latin America.
Allman explained that BNB Chain provides a fast, cost-efficient, and highly interoperable environment. These qualities are key for making U.S. markets truly accessible worldwide. It is a major step toward a more connected financial future, he suggested.
For those outside the U.S., buying a slice of a major American company can be tricky. Traditional methods often involve intermediaries, time zone hurdles, and higher fees. Tokenization aims to smooth out these bumps. It offers a more direct and efficient path.
Consider the practical side. If you live in a different time zone, trying to trade during U.S. market hours can mean late nights or early mornings. Blockchain-based settlement means transactions can happen at any hour. This offers a level of flexibility traditional markets simply cannot match.
Ondo’s Strategic Playbook
Ondo Finance has been busy building its foundation for a while now. Back in 2022, they secured a $20 million Series A funding round. Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund was a co-leader in that investment. Later that summer, they raised another $10 million through a public token sale. This shows strong backing and investor confidence.
Their strategic moves extend beyond fundraising. Earlier this year, Ondo Finance teamed up with President Trump-backed World Liberty Financial. This collaboration aimed to push forward the adoption of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). World Liberty Financial even said it would look into using Ondo’s tokenized assets as treasury reserve assets within its own network.
Ondo has also been on an acquisition spree. They recently brought U.S.-regulated broker Oasis Pro into their fold. Not long before that, they acquired blockchain developer Strangelove. These purchases are not random. They are part of a clear strategy to expand their capabilities and reach in the RWA space. It is like assembling a complete toolkit for a complex job.
Sarah Song, head of business development at BNB Chain, sees this as a strong signal. She noted that real-world assets are one of the fastest-growing areas on BNB Chain. Ondo Finance joining the ecosystem validates this momentum. It is a sign that major players see the value in this digital transformation.
Shaping the Future of Tokenized Markets
Ondo Finance is not just a builder. They also play a role in shaping the rules of the game. Earlier this month, they voiced concerns about Nasdaq’s proposal to support tokenized equities. They argued that more information was needed, especially on how settlement would work.
Nasdaq had filed a rule change with the SEC in September. They sought approval to trade tokenized securities alongside traditional stocks. Nasdaq’s argument was that markets could adopt tokenization without giving up core investor protections. Ondo’s pushback highlights the need for careful planning as these new markets take shape.
It is a reminder that while innovation moves fast, thoughtful implementation is just as important. The goal is to create efficient markets that are also safe for investors. This balance is often a delicate one to strike.
Today, Ondo Finance boasts a total value locked of nearly $1.8 billion. This figure comes from DefiLlama data. It shows substantial growth from its initial launch. This kind of growth speaks volumes about the demand for tokenized assets and Ondo’s position in this evolving landscape.
The move to BNB Chain is a clear signal. It suggests a future where geographical borders matter less in finance. It points to a world where a piece of a U.S. company can be owned by anyone, anywhere, with a few clicks on a blockchain.
