CMB International Joins BNB Chain in $3.8 Billion Tokenization Leap to Transform Global Finance

 

CMB International Partners With BNB Chain to Tokenize $3.8 Billion Money Market Fund

In a major step toward merging traditional finance with blockchain technology, CMB International Asset Management (CMBI) has announced a partnership with BNB Chain to tokenize its USD Money Market Fund, valued at $3.8 billion. The collaboration introduces the fund to the blockchain ecosystem through two digital tokens — CMBMINT and CMBIMINT — offering investors direct access to one of Asia’s most consistent performing assets.

The initiative signals a significant expansion of CMBI’s ongoing collaboration with the Singapore-based platform DigiFT, which successfully tokenized the same fund on the Solana blockchain earlier this year. With the new BNB Chain integration, accredited investors can now access the fund through blockchain-based infrastructure that emphasizes speed, transparency, and compliance.

A Milestone in Institutional Tokenization

BNB Chain announced the collaboration on Wednesday, calling it a “milestone in the institutional adoption of blockchain-based financial instruments.” The integration is designed to give investors exposure to a regulated, yield-generating fund while benefiting from the operational advantages of blockchain — including near-instant settlement, immutable records, and programmable liquidity.

According to data from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, CMBI’s USD Money Market Fund has maintained steady growth since its inception in early 2024. Assets under management (AUM) increased from $2.9 billion in April to $3.6 billion by August, representing a 24% growth in just four months. Bloomberg’s October 2025 rankings list the fund as the top-performing money market fund in the Asia-Pacific region.

Operating under the umbrella of the CMB International Open-Ended Fund Company, the USD Money Market Fund is domiciled in Hong Kong and adheres to strict regulatory guidelines. The fund invests at least 70% of its net asset value in short-term, USD-denominated deposits and high-quality money market instruments issued by governments and leading financial institutions across the United States, Singapore, the European Union, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Bridging Traditional Finance and Blockchain Innovation

The tokenization process converts units of the fund into blockchain-based tokens that can be traded, redeemed, and managed digitally. Investors can now subscribe to the tokenized fund using fiat currency or stablecoins, and redeem holdings in real time through DigiFT’s proprietary liquidity management smart contracts.

“This partnership with BNB Chain extends our money market strategies to a wider global audience,” said Adam Bai, Head of CMB International Asset Management. “We’re combining the reliability of a traditional financial product with the accessibility, speed, and transparency of blockchain. It’s a future-ready approach to investment management.”

Bai emphasized that the collaboration will allow CMBI to maintain its focus on security and compliance, key concerns for institutional and accredited investors entering the blockchain space. The integration also highlights BNB Chain’s growing role as a preferred network for regulated financial tokenization, with its strong emphasis on compliance, scalability, and low transaction costs.

The Role of OnChain and DeFi Integration

The initiative also involves OnChain, a leading Real-World Asset (RWA) infrastructure provider, which enables CMBMINT and CMBIMINT tokens to interact with the broader decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. This integration allows token holders to use their assets beyond passive investment — including collateralized lending, staking, and yield generation across various DeFi platforms.

Key protocols involved include Venus Protocol and ListaDAO, both of which offer RWA-backed financial services such as borrowing, lending, and liquidity provision. This additional functionality creates utility for investors, transforming what was once a static financial instrument into a dynamic, multi-purpose digital asset.

“By connecting a regulated fund to decentralized finance, we’re opening new pathways for liquidity, efficiency, and transparency in global finance,” explained a BNB Chain ecosystem representative. “It’s not just about tokenizing an asset — it’s about unlocking an entirely new use case for money market funds.”

Expanding the RWA Ecosystem

BNB Chain’s RWA strategy continues to gain momentum as it collaborates with both traditional financial institutions and blockchain-native entities. The ecosystem now supports a diverse range of participants, from issuers like Franklin Templeton, Ondo, and Securitize to DeFi platforms such as Venus Protocol, ListaDAO, and PancakeSwap, which facilitate RWA-backed trading, staking, and yield generation.

This growing network is helping bridge the gap between regulated finance and decentralized technology, effectively transforming BNB Chain into one of the world’s most comprehensive tokenization layers for real-world assets.

Sarah, Head of Business Development at BNB Chain, described the partnership as “another step toward making blockchain the foundation for global asset tokenization.”

“Our goal is to enable all types of assets — from equities to bonds to money market funds — to exist securely on the blockchain,” Sarah said. “This collaboration with CMB International exemplifies how blockchain can bring transparency, liquidity, and accessibility to traditional markets without compromising on regulatory standards.”

The Broader Context: Tokenization as a Financial Revolution

The partnership arrives at a pivotal moment in the evolution of global finance. Tokenization — the process of converting ownership rights of real-world assets into digital tokens on a blockchain — is rapidly emerging as one of the most transformative financial trends of the decade. Analysts project that over $16 trillion in assets could be tokenized globally by 2030, encompassing bonds, real estate, private equity, and funds.

CMBI’s move to tokenize its money market fund reflects the growing confidence among institutional investors in blockchain’s ability to handle high-value, regulated assets. Tokenization provides transparency, liquidity, and global accessibility, allowing investors to trade fractionalized ownership of traditionally illiquid assets with ease.

“Tokenization represents the next frontier of finance,” said Jason Lee, a financial analyst at PwC Asia. “It’s similar to how the internet revolutionized communication — now blockchain is revolutionizing capital markets. The CMBI-BNB partnership demonstrates that institutional trust in blockchain is not theoretical anymore; it’s operational.”

China Merchants Bank’s Strategic Expansion

Behind CMBI’s push into tokenization is its parent company, China Merchants Bank (CMB) — one of China’s largest and most innovative financial institutions. Through its Hong Kong subsidiary, the bank has been expanding its digital asset initiatives to align with Hong Kong’s evolving regulatory framework for virtual assets and tokenized products.

Hong Kong’s regulatory authorities have recently introduced policies to encourage compliant digital asset offerings, attracting major financial institutions to experiment with blockchain while ensuring investor protection. CMBI’s partnership with BNB Chain fits seamlessly within this broader effort to position Hong Kong as a regional hub for regulated digital finance.

Toward a New Financial Paradigm

The fusion of traditional money market instruments with blockchain infrastructure is setting the stage for a more connected and efficient financial ecosystem. Investors benefit from instant settlement, on-chain transparency, and programmable liquidity, while asset managers gain access to a global pool of digital-first investors.

As more institutions explore tokenization, partnerships like the one between CMB International and BNB Chain could redefine how investment products are issued, traded, and managed — paving the way for a world where blockchain is not just a technology, but a core pillar of global finance.

“Financial institutions are realizing that blockchain isn’t a competitor; it’s a collaborator,” said a senior consultant at Deloitte Hong Kong. “Tokenization is the bridge that connects traditional banking systems to the decentralized future.”

With regulatory clarity improving and institutional adoption accelerating, CMBI’s move to tokenize $3.8 billion in assets marks a turning point — not only for Hong Kong’s financial sector but for the global tokenization movement.

Source: CMC

Writer @Ellena

Erlin is an experienced crypto writer who loves to explore the intersection of blockchain technology and financial markets. She regularly provides insights into the latest trends and innovations in the digital currency space.

 

 Check out other news and articles on Google News

Disclaimer:

The articles published on hokanews are intended to provide up-to-date information on various topics, including cryptocurrency and technology news. The content on our site is not intended as an invitation to buy, sell, or invest in any assets. We encourage readers to conduct their own research and evaluation before making any investment or financial decisions.

hokanews is not responsible for any losses or damages that may arise from the use of information provided on this site. Investment decisions should be based on thorough research and advice from qualified financial advisors. Information on HokaNews may change without notice, and we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content published.