BNY sees FOMO driving asset managers into tokenized funds

Institutional fear of missing out is accelerating the adoption of tokenized money market funds, with BNY and Goldman Sachs establishing the foundational infrastructure for the sector. In July 2025, the two firms launched a mirrored tokenization system that integrates BNY’s LiquidityDirect platform with Goldman Sachs’ GS DAP blockchain layer. This infrastructure has enabled major asset managers, including BlackRock, Fidelity, and Northern Trust, to launch tokenized share classes, with over $1 billion in assets now overseen by the SEC. The momentum is significant, as evidenced by 168 new tokenization assets launched in 2025 and BlackRock’s BUIDL fund reaching $2.1 billion in AUM. Furthermore, Baillie Gifford recently introduced the BAGEY bond fund, utilizing BNY’s custody services across both Solana and Ethereum. This shift toward tokenization offers tangible benefits such as faster settlement and reduced operational friction compared to legacy systems. While the industry is expanding rapidly, risks regarding smart contract security, custody complexity, and infrastructure concentration remain critical considerations for market participants. The successful integration of public blockchains like Solana for institutional products marks a pivotal development in the evolution of traditional finance settlement layers.