Key Takeaways
- OKX clients can now use BlackRock’s BUIDL tokenized Treasuries as yield-bearing margin collateral.
- Assets will be held securely off-exchange at Standard Chartered, the first G-SIB custodian for this setup.
- The innovation comes amid the growing trend of tokenization and demand for RWAs on-chain.
BlackRock has announced it will allow traders to use its tokenized short-term Treasury fund as collateral on OKX, keeping assets earning yield instead of sitting unused in margin accounts.
The BUIDL fund invests in cash, US Treasury bills, and repurchase agreements with yields paid out directly on the blockchain.
Now, institutional traders on OKX can post these tokens as margin while they continue to generate returns, eliminating the need to sell or shift assets constantly.
Tokenized Collateral: OKX, BlackRock, and Standard Chartered
OKX, BlackRock, and Standard Chartered have launched a new framework that changes how collateral works in the crypto market.
According to a joint release, OKX clients can store BUIDL tokens off-exchange at Standard Chartered while trading them effortlessly on the exchange.
This is the first time a globally systemically significant bank has offered this type of custody for tokenized assets in a trading environment.
Clients deposit BUIDL either on-exchange or keep it segregated in Standard Chartered’s custody while seamlessly using its value for margin trading on OKX Middle East.
The tokens can then continue to earn daily US dollar yields on-chain from Treasuries, cash, and repos, turning traditionally idle margin into a productive asset.
“BUIDL was designed to bring the benefits of tokenization to short-term treasury exposure, allowing qualified investors to earn US dollar yields on blockchain rails,” said Samara Cohen, Global Head of Market Development at Blackrock said.
The cooperation brings together BlackRock’s asset management capabilities, Standard Chartered’s regulated custody, and OKX’s trading infrastructure.
What Will It Mean For Markets?
The collaborative framework will likely make it easier for bigger players to join and participate in the tokenization trend.
It indicates a rising confidence among regulators and established institutions in blockchain-based assets, as a Tier-1 bank serving as custodian lends significant credibility.
The new framework will also likely serve as a bridge between TradFi and DeFi within the broader crypto ecosystem.
Yield-bearing collateral may make trading more appealing to conservative investors seeking genuine rewards without additional risk.
“By enabling institutions to deploy BUIDL as on-chain collateral on OKX’s global platform, we improve capital efficiency while demonstrating how traditional financial instruments can operate seamlessly in digital markets,” said Haider Rafique, Global Managing Partner at OKX.
RWA Tokenization Boom
It comes as real-world asset (RWA) tokenization has grown dramatically in recent years.
What began as marginal experiments has now grown into a multibillion-dollar industry, fueled by major institutions such as BlackRock and Standard Chartered.
By early 2026, tokenized RWAs have reached approximately $27-30 billion in on-chain value, a significant increase from the prior year. Some trackers predicted 200-300% growth in 2025 alone.
Tokenized US treasuries continue to lead the charge, with products such as BUIDL and offers from Franklin Templeton, Ondo, and more.
BlackRock launched BUIDL in 2024, swiftly growing to billions in assets under management, while other titans followed with their own offerings.
While projections differ many analysts believe the sector will reach trillions of dollars in the coming years as more asset classes, such as retail, transition to the blockchain.
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Prashant Jha is a seasoned crypto journalist based in Delhi, India, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science Engineering. Passionate about the evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, he has been a dedicated voice in the industry since 2018. Prashant’s expertise lies in regulatory reporting, where he unravels complex legal and financial developments with clarity and precision. Before joining CCN in 2024, he honed his craft at Cointelegraph, establishing himself as a trusted name in crypto journalism.
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