Securitize, a leading digital securities platform, announced today the successful closing of a $47 million strategic funding round led by BlackRock (BLK). This investment signifies a major vote of confidence in the future of tokenized securities, a rapidly growing field within the digital asset landscape.

BlackRock’s Strategic Investment

BlackRock’s participation in the funding round underscores the company’s commitment to exploring innovative applications of blockchain technology within the financial services industry. Joseph Chalom, BlackRock’s Global Head of Strategic Ecosystem Partnerships, will join Securitize’s board of directors.

“Our investment in Securitize is another step in the evolution of our digital assets strategy,” said Chalom. “We believe tokenization has the potential to significantly transform capital markets infrastructure, and we are excited to partner with Securitize to help meet the future needs of our clients.”

Securitize’s Growth and Industry Leadership

The funding round also included participation from Hamilton Lane (HLNE), ParaFi Capital, and Tradeweb Markets (TW). Securitize will leverage these funds to accelerate product development, expand globally, and strengthen its partnerships within the financial services ecosystem.

“We are thrilled to have the support of such distinguished investors,” said Carlos Domingo, Securitize’s Co-Founder and CEO. “The transformative potential of blockchain technology to reshape the future of finance through tokenization is undeniable, and Securitize is at the forefront of this innovation.”

BlackRock’s First Tokenized Fund: BUIDL

The funding news coincides with the launch of BlackRock’s first tokenized fund, the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL). This fund, built on the Ethereum blockchain, offers investors exposure to U.S. Treasury bills and cash equivalents while providing daily accrued dividends. Notably, BUIDL surpassed Franklin Templeton’s OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX) as the largest tokenized treasury fund within just six weeks of launch.

The Future of Tokenized Securities

The rapid growth of BUIDL and the successful fundraising by Securitize highlight the increasing interest in tokenized securities. While the overall tokenized treasury market remains nascent compared to established asset classes, the entry of major financial institutions like BlackRock is a significant step forward. Securitize, with its leadership in this space, is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth and play a key role in the future of digital asset securities.