BNP, HSBC Join Goldman and Moody’s in Canton Network Expansion
What the Banks Announced
BNP Paribas and HSBC have joined the Canton Foundation, the governance body for the Canton Network, a blockchain initiative focused on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. The announcement Tuesday expands the foundation’s membership to more than 30 institutions, including Goldman Sachs, Hong Kong FMI Services and Moody’s Ratings.
The Canton Network is designed for institutional finance, emphasizing tokenization, compliance, and interoperability. By joining, both BNP and HSBC signal their intent to be part of blockchain adoption in regulated financial markets.
Hubert de Lambilly, , said the decision reflects the bank’s commitment to distributed ledger technology as a tool to meet evolving client needs. HSBC’s head of digital assets, John O’Neil, said membership will support liquidity creation in industry maturity.
Investor Takeaway
Why This Matters for Tokenization
BNP’s move builds on its earlier investment in Digital Asset, the company behind Canton Network. The French bank participated in Digital Asset’s $135 million funding round, designed to advance decentralized finance initiatives for institutions. HSBC, meanwhile, has explored blockchain in custody, bond issuance and is reportedly preparing to apply for a .
The Canton Network aims to deliver a secure, interoperable framework for institutions to tokenize assets such as private credit, Treasury bills, and equities. Its foundation structure provides governance and ensures that development aligns with regulatory standards across multiple jurisdictions.
The involvement of banks with global reach gives the project added legitimacy and could pave the way for broader adoption of tokenized financial products.
Institutional Interest in RWAs Accelerates
The membership expansion comes amid a surge in interest in . Unlike previous crypto cycles centered on retail speculation, 2025’s narrative is increasingly institution-driven. The World Economic Forum recently highlighted how collaboration among banks, regulators, and tech firms is creating the trust and interoperability needed to make tokenization viable at scale.
In the U.S., new rules under the GENIUS Act and congressional approvals of have further reassured financial institutions. Tokenization initiatives have so far focused on credit and Treasuries but are expanding into commodities, equities, and energy infrastructure.
Even platforms like Kraken have engaged with U.S. regulators to shape tokenization policy, underscoring how the next wave of blockchain adoption is tightly bound to regulatory dialogue.
Investor Takeaway
What’s Next for Canton and Its Members?
With BNP Paribas and HSBC on board, the Canton Foundation is positioned as a leading hub for institutional blockchain strategy. Future steps will likely involve live pilots in tokenized debt, cross-border settlement, and structured finance. If successful, Canton could become a template for compliant, institution-ready blockchain infrastructure.
The momentum also illustrates a broader shift: tokenization is no longer experimental but is being integrated into mainstream finance by some of the world’s largest banks. For global investors, this signals a structural shift in how assets may be issued, traded, and managed in the coming decade.
