BlackRock, a prominent asset management firm, has chosen Coinbase as the primary infrastructure provider for its innovative tokenized investment fund, known as the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL). This fund is designed to provide investors with a stable value of $1 per token, along with daily accrued dividends that are directly deposited into investors’ wallets as new tokens each month. By investing 100% of its total assets in cash, U.S. Treasury bills, and repurchase agreements, the fund enables investors to earn yield while holding the token on the blockchain.
In a recent statement on X (formerly Twitter), Coinbase announced that it would be serving as an infrastructure provider for the BUIDL fund. However, specific details about Coinbase’s role were not disclosed in the announcement. Nevertheless, Coinbase emphasized that this partnership underscores its commitment to facilitating traditional institutions’ entry into the crypto industry by providing essential technological support. Through this partnership, Coinbase aims to bridge the gap between institutions and the rapidly expanding tokenization sector.
It is worth noting that Coinbase already has a strong business relationship with BlackRock. The crypto exchange serves as the custodian for BlackRock’s flagship spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) product, IBIT. Additionally, other institutions such as BNY Mellon, Fireblocks, Anchorage Digital Bank, and BitGo are also involved in the BUIDL fund. This collaborative effort highlights the growing interest among traditional financial institutions in exploring the potential of blockchain technology and digital assets.
According to on-chain data analyzed by blockchain intelligence platform Arkham Intelligence, an Ethereum wallet associated with BlackRock’s BUIDL fund has received significant contributions from various members of the crypto community. The wallet has received donations exceeding $50,000 worth of memecoins and non-fungible tokens, including popular assets like PEPE, as well as lesser-known coins such as ROCK and GAINS. As of the latest update, the total value of assets in the wallet has surpassed $100 million, indicating strong community support for the fund’s objectives.
The partnership between BlackRock and Coinbase signifies a significant step towards bridging the divide between traditional finance and the emerging world of digital assets. By leveraging Coinbase’s expertise in infrastructure provision and BlackRock’s reputation in asset management, the BUIDL fund aims to offer investors a secure and efficient platform for accessing tokenized assets. With continued support from both institutional partners and the crypto community, this collaboration sets a positive precedent for future developments in the financial industry.