5 articles tagged #BNY — curated RWA tokenization coverage.

Baillie Gifford has received authorization from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for the Baillie Gifford Enhanced Yield (BAGEY) fund, a fully native tokenized investment vehicle. Unlike traditional tokenized funds that utilize wrappers or special purpose vehicles, BAGEY is issued directly on public blockchain infrastructure, where the token serves as the official record of ownership. This actively managed portfolio focuses on short-duration government and corporate bonds, marking a significant expansion of Hong Kong's tokenized fixed income market. Developed in collaboration with BNY, the fund utilizes BNY’s tokenization and wallet infrastructure to eliminate the need for parallel record-keeping. By establishing the blockchain as the legal source of truth, the structure aims to enhance transparency and reduce operational complexity for professional investors. This development aligns with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Fintech 2030 strategy and Project Ensemble, reinforcing the region's position as a hub for regulated digital assets. The launch represents a shift toward native issuance models that prioritize direct on-chain ownership over legacy intermediary structures.

Northern Trust Asset Management has officially entered the tokenized asset market by launching a tokenized share class for its NIF Treasury Instruments Portfolio. This fund invests in short-term U.S. Treasury instruments and maintains a target net asset value of $1.00 per share. The offering is accessible via BNY's LiquidityDirect platform, which leverages Goldman Sachs' Digital Asset Platform for its underlying infrastructure. By utilizing blockchain technology, the firm aims to enhance the efficiency of settlement and transfer processes compared to traditional fund operations. This move follows broader industry momentum, including WisdomTree's recent expansion of its own tokenized money market fund to support 24-hour trading and instant settlement. While these developments signal institutional adoption, the Bank for International Settlements has cautioned that such funds could face operational and liquidity risks during periods of rapid redemption. Northern Trust manages approximately $1.4 trillion in total assets, underscoring the significant scale of traditional finance players now integrating on-chain solutions.

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.

Baillie Gifford is reportedly developing a regulated tokenized bond fund that utilizes public blockchain infrastructure, marking a significant entry by a traditional asset manager into the real-world asset space. The initiative involves leveraging both Solana and Ethereum, with institutional custody services provided by BNY. This development highlights the growing trend of integrating traditional financial products with blockchain rails to enhance settlement efficiency, transparency, and programmable distribution. By targeting bonds, the fund aims to streamline complex custody systems and improve automated collateral management. The choice of public chains reflects a strategic balance between Ethereum's institutional familiarity and Solana's high-speed, low-cost performance. This move serves as a critical data point for the broader RWA market, demonstrating that institutional demand for yield and efficiency is driving the adoption of blockchain technology. Ultimately, the project underscores the ongoing convergence of regulated financial products and decentralized infrastructure, signaling a shift toward more compatible and efficient market workflows.

Edinburgh-based investment firm Baillie Gifford has launched the Baillie Gifford Enhanced Yield Fund (BAGEY), a tokenized fixed-income fund offering exposure to short-duration public corporate bonds. Developed in collaboration with BNY, the fund utilizes both the Ethereum and Solana blockchains to serve as the official register of record, rather than merely wrapping existing assets. Structured as a U.K.-regulated Open-Ended Investment Company (OEIC), the fund provides eligible investors in the U.K., Switzerland, and the Cayman Islands with direct ownership and recourse. BNY provides the necessary tokenization and wallet infrastructure, while NatWest Trustee and Depositary Services acts as the depositary. Currently yielding approximately 7%, the fund represents a shift toward native onchain issuance within traditional finance frameworks. This development is significant for the RWA market as it demonstrates how established institutional players are moving beyond experimental pilots to integrate blockchain technology into core regulated fund structures. By prioritizing direct onchain ownership, the initiative aims to improve the efficiency and transparency of traditional investment vehicles.