Franklin Templeton, managing $1.3 trillion in global assets, shifted its tokenization infrastructure from Stellar to Canton. Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets, revealed the migration strategy during a recent interview with Decrypt.
The move centers on Canton, an enterprise blockchain platform built on Daml smart contracts. Canton offers institutional-grade settlement speed and privacy controls that Stellar could not match at scale. Franklin Templeton's digital asset division processes tokenized securities on Canton, reducing settlement time from T+2 to near-instant execution.
The decision reflects broader institutional adoption patterns. Asset managers increasingly require customizable blockchain networks rather than public chains. Canton's permissioned architecture lets Franklin Templeton control validator nodes, adjust consensus rules, and maintain regulatory compliance across jurisdictions.
Bayston emphasized that tokenization cuts operational costs by eliminating intermediaries in custody, settlement, and transfer processes. Franklin Templeton expects tokenized asset volumes to reach billions within 18 months.
The Canton migration signals enterprise blockchain maturity. Unlike public networks competing for throughput records, enterprise platforms prioritize determinism, auditability, and institutional governance. Franklin Templeton's adoption validates this approach for regulated financial institutions managing trillions in client capital.