DigiFT Introduces First Actively Managed Tokenized Equity Fund with BNY as Investment Management Services Provider

Rhea-AI Summary

DigiFT (BK) introduced bEQTY, the first actively managed tokenized U.S. equity income fund on the Ethereum public blockchain, announced Jan 26, 2026.

BNY serves as investment manager for the underlying traditional U.S. equity income strategy. The fund is tokenized on Ethereum and available to eligible accredited investors via DigiFT's regulated on-chain marketplace, aiming to bring professionally managed public equity strategies on-chain with programmable settlement, greater transparency, and streamlined lifecycle management.

Positive

• First-mover actively managed tokenized U.S. equity income fund on Ethereum
• BNY named as investment manager, providing established investment expertise
• Regulated on-chain access for eligible accredited investors via DigiFT
• Tokenization benefits: programmable settlement, enhanced transparency, streamlined lifecycle

Negative

• Fund availability limited to accredited investors, restricting broader retail access
• Extension into actively managed equities depends on maturing tokenization infrastructure

Market Reality Check

Price: $117.61 Vol: Volume 3,866,574 is 5% ab...

normal vol

$117.61 Last Close

Volume Volume 3,866,574 is 5% above 20-day average 3,681,555, indicating modestly elevated trading. normal

Technical Price at $117.61 trades above 200-day MA $101.44 and sits 6.58% below the 52-week high, well above the 52-week low.

Peers on Argus

BK fell 2.14% while key peers were mixed: ING +1.24%, BNS +0.75%, CM +0.39%, BCS...

BK fell 2.14% while key peers were mixed: ING +1.24%, BNS +0.75%, CM +0.39%, BCS -0.04%, BMO -0.74%. The move appears stock-specific rather than sector-driven.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 13 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 13	Dividend declaration	Positive	+1.9%	Quarterly common and preferred dividends declared with upcoming payment dates.
Jan 13	Earnings release	Neutral	+1.9%	Fourth quarter 2025 results released with follow-up conference call and webcast.
Dec 30	Fund distributions	Neutral	-0.7%	Monthly distributions announced for two municipal bond closed-end funds.
Dec 11	Employee initiative	Positive	+0.3%	BNY joins U.S. children’s investment initiative, matching federal deposits for employees.
Dec 11	Board change	Positive	+0.3%	Election of Charles F. Lowrey to the Board, expanding to 12 directors.

Pattern Detected

Recent news across dividends, earnings, and corporate initiatives has generally seen modestly positive price alignment, with no clear pattern of selling on good news.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, BNY (BK) issued dividends and reported Q4 2025 results on Jan 13, 2026, with shares rising about 1.88% after both updates. Earlier, municipal bond fund distributions and a U.S. children’s savings initiative in Dec 2025 saw small price moves between about -0.67% and +0.25%. A board refresh announcement on Dec 11, 2025 also coincided with a mild gain. Against this backdrop, today’s tokenization-focused product launch adds another strategic development but follows a generally stable reaction pattern to news.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights BNY’s role as investment manager for an actively managed tokenized U.S....

Analysis

This announcement highlights BNY’s role as investment manager for an actively managed tokenized U.S. equity income fund on the Ethereum public blockchain, delivered via DigiFT’s regulated on-chain marketplace. It signals a shift from single-asset tokenization toward portfolio-relevant, professionally managed equity strategies. In context of prior updates on dividends, earnings and governance changes, investors may watch how institutional adoption of this on-chain vehicle develops and whether similar products expand over time.

Key Terms

tokenized, tokenization, ethereum, on-chain

4 terms

tokenized technical

"first actively managed tokenized U.S. equity income fund on the Ethereum public blockchain"

Tokenized means converting a real-world asset, like property, artwork, or stocks, into digital tokens stored on a computer network. This process makes it easier to buy, sell, or transfer small parts of the asset quickly and securely, much like dividing a property into many tiny pieces that can be traded individually. For investors, tokenization can increase access, liquidity, and flexibility in managing their investments.

tokenization technical

"represents a significant milestone in the evolution of tokenization—marking a shift from early experimentation"

Tokenization is the process of converting real-world assets or rights into digital tokens stored on a computer network. This allows assets, such as property or investments, to be divided into smaller parts, making them easier to buy, sell, or transfer electronically. For investors, tokenization can increase access to a wider range of investments and make transactions faster and more efficient.

ethereum technical

"tokenized U.S. equity income fund on the Ethereum public blockchain"

Ethereum is a digital money system and computing platform built on a shared online ledger called a blockchain; its native token, ether (ETH), is used to pay for transactions and run automated contracts. Investors care because ether acts like a tradeable asset whose price can move sharply, and the platform’s usage, upgrades, and rules affect supply, demand and potential returns—think of it as both a new kind of commodity and the fuel for a global app store.

on-chain technical

"regulated on-chain exchange for institutional real-world assets"

On-chain describes actions or data that are recorded directly on a blockchain, a public digital ledger that creates a permanent, time-stamped record of transactions. For investors, on-chain activity provides verifiable evidence of transfers, ownership changes or automated program actions (like contract-driven payments); seeing these entries is like checking a bank statement and helps assess liquidity, settlement finality, fees, and transparency when judging risk and market behavior.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• First actively managed tokenized equity fund extending tokenization beyond single assets to professionally managed public equity strategies
• Tokenized on Ethereum and distributed via DigiFT, providing eligible investors a regulated on-chain way to invest
• Advances institutional adoption of tokenization, building on BNY's deep investment expertise and DigiFT's track record of bringing Tier-1 asset manager strategies on-chain

SINGAPORE, Jan. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DigiFT, a regulated on-chain exchange for institutional real-world assets, today announced the introduction of DigiFT U.S. Equity Income Fund ("bEQTY"), the first actively managed tokenized U.S. equity income fund on the Ethereum public blockchain.

The launch of bEQTY, which is eligible for accredited investors, represents a significant milestone in the evolution of tokenization—marking a shift from early experimentation with blockchain-based financial instruments toward enabling investors to construct more complete, portfolio-relevant strategies on-chain.

BNY serves as the investment manager for the underlying traditional U.S. equity income strategy which extends tokenization into actively managed public equities. This launch demonstrates how regulated on-chain infrastructure is advancing beyond initial applications to address more sophisticated areas of the capital markets. 

Tokenization as institutional portfolio infrastructure

Public equities remain a core component of institutional portfolios. Tokenization introduces a digitally native form factor that enables programmable settlement, enhanced transparency, and more streamlined lifecycle management—without changing the underlying investment strategy or governance framework.

By representing equity income strategies on regulated on-chain infrastructure, eligible investors gain greater flexibility in how sophisticated financial instruments are held, transferred, and integrated into portfolios, supporting more agile capital management.

For Web3-native allocators, as on-chain treasuries and funds mature, there is growing interest in incorporating assets that introduce exposure to the real-economy and are less correlated with crypto-native market cycles.

The launch also illustrates how regulated on-chain marketplaces can support wider institutional participation by enabling eligible investors to access the strategy through DigiFT's regulated framework.

Henry Zhang, Founder and Group CEO of DigiFT, said: "For years, tokenization has been about proving the technology. This launch proves its use case. By bringing an actively managed equity income strategy on-chain within a regulated market, we're demonstrating how blockchain infrastructure is becoming part of mainstream institutional finance."

Doni Shamsuddin, Head of Asia Pacific, BNY Investments, said: "We are thrilled to work with DigiFT in bridging traditional finance and emerging on-chain solutions for institutional investors. Leveraging BNY's deep investment capabilities, we enable a professionally managed portfolio on blockchain — anchored in established trust, scale, and governance."

From experimentation to portfolio-relevant strategies

Tokenization has gained early traction in short-duration and cash-like instruments, demonstrating the operational benefits of blockchain within regulated frameworks.

As tokenization matures, extending its capabilities into actively managed public equities represents a natural next phase—moving beyond single assets toward actively managed strategies within regulated market infrastructure.

About DigiFT

DigiFT is a next-generation exchange for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). The platform offers end-to-end digital asset services—including tokenization, issuance, distribution, trading, and instant liquidity provision—purpose-built for institutional RWAs. Trusted by global financial institutions, DigiFT is the on-chain tokenization and distribution partner for leading asset managers such as Invesco, UBS Asset Management, and Wellington Management. For more information, visit https://digift.io

About BNY

BNY is a global financial services platforms company at the heart of the world's capital markets. For more than 240 years BNY has partnered alongside clients, using its expertise and platforms to help them operate more efficiently and accelerate growth. Today BNY serves over 90% of Fortune 100 companies and nearly all the top 100 banks globally. BNY supports governments in funding local projects and works with over 90% of the top 100 pension plans to safeguard investments for millions of individuals. As of December 31, 2025, BNY oversees $59.3 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration and $2.2 trillion in assets under management.

BNY is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Headquartered in New York City, BNY has been named among Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies and Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators. Additional information is available on www.bny.com. Follow on LinkedIn or visit the BNY Newsroom for the latest company news.

Disclaimers

DigiFT and/or its affiliates endeavour to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, but do not guarantee its accuracy or reliability, and accept no liability (whether in tort, contract, or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracy or omission, or from any decision, action, or non-action based on or in reliance upon the information contained in this material.

This information does not constitute an invitation, recommendation, or offer to subscribe for, purchase, or enter into any transaction involving the above-mentioned product/service or any other services mentioned. The above-mentioned product/service is only available to Accredited Investors, Professional Investors, and Institutional Investors through authorised regulated intermediaries.

Before making any investment decision, please seek independent legal and financial advice. Clients intending to trade this product are reminded of the risks associated with such products and should carefully assess their investment objectives, risk appetite, financial situation, and particular needs before making any investment decision.

This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer, or a solicitation to buy or sell any product or service. Eligibility to access or invest in any products mentioned is subject to applicable laws and investor qualification requirements. DigiFT products and services are available only through authorised and regulated intermediaries to eligible investors. Readers should seek independent legal, financial, and tax advice before making any investment decision.

BNY and/or its affiliates are not the issuer, distributor, placement agent of DigiFT U.S. Equity Income Fund, and DigiFT U.S. Equity Income Fund is not sponsored, recommended, endorsed, guaranteed or otherwise financially backed by BNY and/or its affiliates.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digift-introduces-first-actively-managed-tokenized-equity-fund-with-bny-as-investment-management-services-provider-302669662.html

SOURCE DigiFT

FAQ

What is DigiFT's bEQTY tokenized fund (BK) announced Jan 26, 2026?

bEQTY is the first actively managed tokenized U.S. equity income fund on Ethereum, offered to eligible accredited investors via DigiFT.

Who manages the underlying strategy for DigiFT's bEQTY (BK)?

BNY serves as the investment manager for the underlying traditional U.S. equity income strategy.

How can investors access the bEQTY tokenized fund (BK)?

Eligible accredited investors can access the fund through DigiFT's regulated on-chain marketplace.

What blockchain is used for the bEQTY tokenization (BK)?

The fund is tokenized on the Ethereum public blockchain.

What are the claimed benefits of tokenizing the equity income strategy (BK)?

Tokenization aims to enable programmable settlement, enhanced transparency, and streamlined lifecycle management without changing the underlying strategy.

Does bEQTY (BK) target retail investors?

No; the fund is available only to eligible accredited investors, not the general retail market.