On October 9, 2026, Animoca Brands and Franklin Templeton, a global investment manager, announced a strategic collaboration to bring tokenized real-world assets, or RWAs, to NUVA, the Animoca Brands-backed vault marketplace. The strategic program aims to accelerate institutional adoption of tokenized assets and broaden access beyond Provenance blockchain-based offerings. The initiative also includes a co-authored research series and potential work on tokenized cultural assets.
Expanding Institutional Access to Tokenized Assets
NUVA was co-incubated by Animoca Brands and Nuva Labs and launched in May 2026 with vaults that unlock access to assets on the Provenance Blockchain. That blockchain held more than US$30 billion in total value locked as of September 24, 2026. The new collaboration is designed to integrate institutional-grade assets from a broader base of issuers directly into NUVA's vault architecture.
NUVA's Role and Market Position
NUVA operates as a vault marketplace that offers exposure to tokenized real-world assets across multiple blockchain networks. Through this collaboration, the platform is expected to extend its reach beyond its existing Provenance blockchain-based assets and unlock access to institutional-grade products. This move positions NUVA to serve institutional investors seeking regulated, diversified, and scalable digital asset exposure.
Research Series and Market Evolution
The two firms have launched a four-part, co-authored research series focused on tokenization's strategic significance for institutional investors. The series is now live on Franklin Templeton's tokenization page and builds on the firm's decade-long commitment to blockchain-enabled investment solutions. It examines key market developments and how tokenization is changing asset evaluation and portfolio construction.
Executive Views on the Partnership
Yat Siu, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Animoca Brands, said the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets has become a real infrastructure play. He described Franklin Templeton as a pioneer in tokenizing traditional financial assets and noted the partnership integrates institutional-grade RWAs into NUVA. Sandy Kaul, Head of Digital Assets and Innovation at Franklin Templeton, added that tokenization is entering a new phase focused on access, utilization, and integration.
Future Work on Cultural Assets
Franklin Templeton and Animoca Brands expect to build on these initiatives by exploring additional areas of collaboration, including opportunities for the co-design and tokenization of real-world cultural assets. Additional details are expected later this year, according to the announcement. This direction signals a broader ambition to connect traditional asset management with decentralized distribution channels.
Institutional and Digital Asset Expertise
Franklin Templeton is a California-based global investment manager founded in 1947, with US$1.83 trillion in assets under management as of August 31, 2026. Animoca Brands is a global digital assets and AI leader with a portfolio of more than 600 companies and digital assets. Nuva Labs, formerly Provenance Blockchain Labs, supports issuers with blockchain infrastructure for tokenization, management, and distribution of real-world assets at scale.
The collaboration pairs Franklin Templeton's investment expertise and blockchain experience with Animoca Brands' digital asset platforms, AI capabilities, and extensive Web3 ecosystem. By integrating institutional-grade RWAs into NUVA, the partners aim to create new channels for investors and accelerate adoption of tokenized assets. The planned work on cultural assets could further expand the range of tokenized opportunities available through the platform.