BNP Paribas, HSBC Join Canton Foundation for RWA Tokenization Push

- BNP Paribas and HSBC join Canton Foundation to advance RWA tokenization. - Move signals growing institutional adoption of blockchain, focusing on regulatory compliance and interoperability. On September 9, 2025, Cointelegraph reported that global banking giants BNP Paribas and HSBC officially joined the Canton Foundation, an organization that fosters the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) using blockchain technology. The move marks an important step toward integrating distributed ledger systems into institutional finance. The Canton Foundation, which now includes over 30 institutional members, provides governance and strategic oversight for blockchain applications tailored to institutional finance. BNP Paribas and HSBC join a growing list of prominent members, including Goldman Sachs and Moody’s Ratings, which joined earlier this year. In addition, the foundation backs the Canton Network, which emphasizes regulatory compliance, interoperability, and a strategic focus on RWA tokenization. These elements are key to building institutional trust in digital finance. Hubert de Lambilly, head of global markets at BNP Paribas, underlined the bank’s commitment to innovation, stating that this membership reinforces their dedication to using blockchain technology to meet evolving client needs. Echoing this sentiment, HSBC’s John O’Neil, head of digital assets and currencies, highlighted the collaboration's potential to mature the blockchain ecosystem, enhance liquidity in digital asset markets, and boost institutional confidence. This development reflects a broader trend of increasing institutional engagement with asset tokenization, as financial firms, regulators, and technology providers work together to create reliable frameworks for blockchain-based solutions. While initial efforts have focused on private credit markets and Treasury bills, other asset classes like equities and commodities are now gaining attention. Regulatory clarity continues to drive this momentum, encouraging further experimentation and adoption within the financial industry. As of 12:00 UTC on September 9, CoinMarketCap reports that Ethereum (ETH) trades at $1,782, with a 1.7% increase in 24-hour trading volume. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) trades at $26,541, reflecting a 2.9% increase. These market movements illustrate ongoing enthusiasm for blockchain and digital asset advancements.