Franklin Resources (BEN) Surges in Popularity Amid Digital Asset Push and Tokenization Buzz
Wall Street Eyes BEN’s Role in Crypto-Finance Convergence
Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN), a major player in the asset management sector, is sparking renewed investor interest as it continues expanding into digital assets and blockchain infrastructure. With over $1.5 trillion in assets under management (AUM), the company has been making headlines with its recent partnerships centered around tokenized real-world assets, signaling a strong pivot toward the future of finance.
One of the most discussed initiatives is Franklin’s use of its BENJI token and the FOBXX fund—short for Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund—to tokenize Treasury assets using public blockchain infrastructure. This move positions BEN at the forefront of institutional crypto adoption, blending traditional finance with blockchain innovation. It’s worth noting that FOBXX is reportedly the first U.S.-registered mutual fund to process transactions and record share ownership using public blockchain rails.
These advancements are gaining traction across Reddit and X, with users pointing out that Franklin’s strategy could provide a competitive edge in an increasingly digital financial landscape. Investors are particularly intrigued by how the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) like U.S. Treasuries may unlock faster settlement, enhanced transparency, and greater efficiency in the traditional markets.
Adding fuel to the fire, Franklin’s analyst ratings have seen a recent uptick, with renewed optimism about its forward growth trajectory. Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan both upgraded their outlooks earlier this month, citing BEN’s commitment to integrating blockchain technologies and its consistent dividend track record. As of July 26, the stock was trading around $25.30 per share, bouncing back from recent dips.
Meanwhile, retail communities are buzzing about the meme coin ‘BEN’—not related to Franklin directly but gaining traction on the Stellar network. Some speculate that this cultural coincidence is inadvertently driving more attention to Franklin Resources itself, further increasing engagement around the ticker BEN.
In parallel, BEN's long-term reputation for conservative capital stewardship and its new, progressive approach to fintech have created a unique blend of stability and innovation that investors find increasingly attractive. While there’s still debate about the scalability of RWAs and whether they’ll gain mass institutional adoption in the near term, Franklin’s head start is being recognized.
Whether this marks a breakout for Franklin in the fintech space or simply a well-executed branding extension remains to be seen. But with regulatory support for tokenization rising and major players eyeing the same space, Franklin Resources seems well-positioned for growth.