Paul Johnson China Merchants Bank has tokenized its $3.8 billion money market fund on BNB Chain, marking a major step for real world asset tokenization in Hong Kong’s blockchain ecosystem.
China Merchants Bank Tokenizes $3.8 Billion Fund on BNB Chain
China Merchants Bank has taken another bold stride into blockchain territory as its Hong Kong subsidiary, CMB International Asset Management, officially tokenizes its $3.8 billion fund on BNB Chain. The move positions the bank at the forefront of real world asset innovation, merging traditional finance with decentralized technology in one of Asia’s fastest growing blockchain hubs.
This initiative expands on CMB’s earlier collaboration with Singapore-based tokenization platform DigiFT, which had previously launched the same fund on Solana. Now, with BNB Chain as the newest partner, the bank is reinforcing its long-term bet on blockchain-based financial products and digital asset accessibility.
A Milestone for Real World Asset Tokenization
The decision by China Merchants Bank to tokenize its $3.8 billion fund on BNB Chain marks a pivotal advancement for real world asset tokenization in Asia. Through this integration, CMB International is making its USD Money Market Fund available directly onchain, offering accredited investors simplified blockchain-based access to a high-performing traditional asset.
The CMB International USD Money Market Fund, established in early 2024 under the CMB International Open-ended Fund Company in Hong Kong, invests primarily in US dollar-denominated deposits and state-backed instruments from major economies, including the United States, Singapore, and regions within Greater China. The fund has demonstrated strong performance, growing its assets under management from $2.9 billion in April to over $3.6 billion by August.
By bringing such a large-scale traditional financial product onto BNB Chain, the bank is signaling confidence in the blockchain’s scalability, compliance support, and growing institutional adoption across the region.
CMBMINT and CMBIMINT Tokens Bring Fund Access to BNB Chain
As part of this strategic collaboration, CMB International Asset Management has introduced two blockchain-native tokens, CMBMINT and CMBIMINT, on the BNB Chain network. These digital tokens allow investors to gain exposure to the fund using either fiat currency or stablecoins, simplifying entry and redemption through DigiFT’s infrastructure.
The tokenization framework also incorporates OnChain, an RWA infrastructure provider that enables these tokens to interact seamlessly with various decentralized finance applications. This unlocks new opportunities for yield generation, lending, and liquidity provisioning within the DeFi ecosystem.
With China Merchants Bank tokenizing its $3.8 billion fund on BNB Chain, accredited investors can now enjoy enhanced transparency, improved liquidity, and direct blockchain-enabled fund participation that traditional systems have long struggled to provide.
Hong Kong’s RWA Push Faces Regulatory Uncertainty
Despite the success of this landmark fund tokenization, the broader regulatory environment in Hong Kong remains under scrutiny. Reports have suggested that China’s securities regulator has been urging local brokerages to pause real world asset initiatives, raising questions about how future tokenized products will fit within compliance frameworks.
Still, China Merchants Bank’s move demonstrates a growing willingness among institutional players to test blockchain waters even amid regulatory ambiguity. By leveraging BNB Chain’s established global ecosystem and DigiFT’s compliant tokenization platform, the bank is setting a benchmark for how traditional finance can evolve responsibly within the Web3 landscape.
As tokenization continues to reshape financial systems worldwide, Hong Kong’s openness to experiments like these may define its standing as Asia’s leading digital asset gateway.
A Step Toward Institutional DeFi Integration
The tokenization of China Merchants Bank’s $3.8 billion fund on BNB Chain represents more than a technological upgrade it’s a statement about the future of finance. By bringing large-scale institutional funds onto public blockchain infrastructure, the bank is bridging the gap between legacy finance and decentralized finance.
Tokenization allows for 24/7 trading, real-time settlements, and programmable asset features that can power next-generation investment products. The integration with BNB Chain, a network known for its efficiency and DeFi adoption, could open the door for cross-chain interoperability and secondary market liquidity for traditionally illiquid assets.
With global asset managers, private banks, and regulators watching closely, this move reinforces the momentum behind real world asset adoption a trend projected to drive trillions of dollars into blockchain ecosystems over the next decade.
Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards.
