Global index provider FTSE Russell has joined forces with Chainlink to bring its equity and digital asset benchmarks onchain, marking another milestone for blockchain’s role in institutional finance.
Chainlink announced Monday that data for the Russell 1000, Russell 2000, Russell 3000, FTSE 100, and several digital asset indexes will be distributed via DataLink — Chainlink’s institutional-grade publishing solution.
Expanding Blockchain Access to Institutional Market Data
The Russell family of indexes, which track over $18 trillion in global assets, are among the world’s most trusted benchmarks for small- and mid-cap U.S. stocks.
According to Fiona Bassett, CEO of FTSE Russell, the partnership aligns with the firm’s strategy to accelerate “innovation around tokenized assets” and exchange-traded funds.
FTSE Russell began building its digital asset presence earlier this year through a partnership with SonarX, launching a series of crypto benchmarks aimed at standardizing institutional investment frameworks.
In 2023, the company also teamed up with Grayscale to introduce five indexes categorizing the crypto market into sectors such as smart contracts, utilities, and consumer products.
Institutions Push Forward With Blockchain Integration
FTSE Russell’s move follows similar blockchain initiatives from other major financial institutions.
JPMorgan recently expanded its private Kinexys blockchain to bring private equity funds onchain, while Goldman Sachs and BNY Mellon have rolled out tokenized money market funds offering instant settlement and transparent ownership.
Citigroup also highlighted in April that institutional adoption is accelerating thanks to a clearer U.S. regulatory outlook, especially around stablecoins.
“The main catalyst for their greater acceptance may be regulatory clarity in the US, which could enable greater integration of stablecoins specifically, and blockchain more widely, into the existing financial system,” Citi said.
