UBS Asset Management Launches uMINT, a Tokenized Money Market Fund on Ethereum

Share

UBS Asset Management has unveiled a new digital investment vehicle, the “UBS USD Money Market Investment Fund Token” (uMINT). Designed as a tokenized money market fund, uMINT utilizes Ethereum’s distributed ledger technology, marking another step in UBS’s commitment to integrating blockchain solutions in asset management. The launch is intended to cater to the increasing demand for tokenized financial assets, allowing investors to access institutional-grade cash management services with a digital-first approach.

Thomas Kaegi, Co-Head of UBS Asset Management in the Asia-Pacific region, commented on the new fund’s potential to meet rising client interest in tokenized solutions. “We have seen growing investor appetite for tokenized financial assets across asset classes,” he said, emphasizing UBS’s efforts in working with industry partners and regulatory bodies to build innovative solutions. By launching uMINT, UBS Asset Management is providing clients access to cash management investments anchored by high-quality money market instruments within a conservative, risk-managed framework.

The introduction of uMINT aligns with UBS Asset Management’s broader distributed ledger strategy, which aims to utilize both public and private blockchain networks to enhance fund issuance and distribution capabilities. UBS’s recent activities include participation in Project Guardian, a regulatory initiative led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to explore the potential of tokenized assets. In October 2023, UBS launched a live pilot of a tokenized Variable Capital Company (VCC) fund under this initiative.

UBS has been actively expanding its digital asset capabilities through UBS Tokenize, its internal service dedicated to tokenizing a range of financial products. Since June 2023, UBS Tokenize has facilitated the issuance of CNH 200 million in fully digital structured notes on behalf of a third-party issuer. This was followed in November 2023 by a pioneering cross-border repurchase transaction featuring a natively issued digital bond, executed and settled entirely on a public blockchain. These milestones highlight UBS’s commitment to developing blockchain-based solutions that provide enhanced access, efficiency, and security within the finance ecosystem.

As UBS deepens its involvement in decentralized finance, UBS Tokenize is focused on supporting asset lifecycle functions including origination, issuance, distribution, and custody, particularly in areas such as bonds, funds, and structured products. Through these initiatives, UBS aims to lower barriers to market participation and broaden access to innovative financial products, reinforcing its position as a leader in the evolving digital finance landscape.

Headquartered in Zurich, UBS operates globally with a presence in over 50 markets and, following the acquisition of Credit Suisse, manages approximately $5.7 trillion in invested assets as of Q4 2023. The bank’s continued expansion into digital assets reflects its long-term commitment to offering diversified and technology-driven investment solutions.


Image by Artem Sapegin from Unsplash

Read other stories: DigiFT Partners with Chainlink to Enhance Liquidity and Security for Tokenized Money Market Funds

The Future of Securities Servicing