In a groundbreaking collaboration, Chainlink and FTSE Russell have joined forces to provide FTSE Russell’s benchmark index data directly onto blockchains through Chainlink’s DataLink service. This integration marks a historic first, making some of the world’s most prominent indices, including the Russell and FTSE benchmarks, accessible around the clock to developers and financial institutions focused on creating on-chain products. Both companies claim this initiative will significantly boost the adoption of tokenized assets and regulated on-chain financial services.
FTSE Russell’s indices currently serve as the backbone for over $18 trillion in assets under management. By moving this critical data on-chain, FTSE Russell aims to furnish decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and institutional developers with high-quality, auditable benchmarks similar to those utilized in traditional finance. Chainlink noted that FTSE Russell now joins a network of over 2,000 applications, major banks, asset managers, and infrastructure providers that leverage its oracle and data services across various public and private blockchains.
The DataLink service, designed to support this integration, allows data owners to distribute market data seamlessly across multiple blockchains without the need for bespoke infrastructure. Chainlink has suggested that DataLink acts as an institutional-grade bridge between legacy market data and on-chain markets, ensuring real-time, tamper-evident distribution of benchmarks that smart contracts and tokenized products can reference.
Fiona Bassett, CEO of FTSE Russell, described this initiative as a significant catalyst for new financial products. She expressed excitement about leveraging Chainlink’s institutional-grade infrastructure to bring FTSE Russell’s index data on-chain. “This marks a major step in enabling innovation around tokenized assets, ETFs, and next-generation financial products,” Bassett stated. The integration aims to provide institutions and developers with the same trusted data that powers traditional finance.
Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov characterized the partnership as a “landmark moment” for the blockchain sector, emphasizing the potential for regulated, data-driven financial products built directly on blockchain technology. He highlighted Chainlink’s proven track record as an oracle provider, having facilitated trillions in transaction value and securing a substantial portion of the total value locked in DeFi projects.
This collaboration is part of a broader trend where traditional market data providers are experimenting with new monetization strategies for on-chain offerings. Chainlink has secured similar agreements with other market data firms, demonstrating a clear intent to simplify the process for legacy companies to engage with blockchain-native developers while retaining control over their data feeds.
For builders in the space, the practical consequence of this integration is clear: FTSE Russell’s index values and relevant market benchmarks can now be referenced within smart contracts across various blockchains. This advancement eliminates a significant barrier for institutions looking to launch tokenized ETFs, structured products, or other regulated offerings that rely on dependable, auditable benchmarks. The collaboration is positioned to ensure that the same level of trust and governance expected from traditional benchmarks is now available in an on-chain format.
As the market observes the fusion of traditional finance data with decentralized infrastructures, this partnership highlights a significant industry trend: established companies exploring blockchain distribution while leveraging trusted intermediaries to maintain data integrity. Although the speed at which such innovations may translate into widespread institutional issuance of tokenized, benchmarked products remains uncertain, this announcement positions developers and firms to navigate this evolving landscape with greater ease.
