S&P 500 Index Fund Goes Live on Base Blockchain for 24/7 Trading
A tokenised version of the S&P 500 index fund is now available on the Base blockchain. The product, called deSPXA, lets non-US investors trade the fund 24 hours a day. It was launched through a partnership between Centrifuge and S&P Dow Jones Indices, with Janus Henderson acting as the fund manager. deSPXA operates under an official licence from S&P Dow Jones Indices. It is built on Centrifuge V3, a blockchain infrastructure that supports tokenised real-world assets (RWAs). Chronicle provides real-time pricing data to ensure transparency and accuracy.
The fund is structured under Centrifuge's **deRWA framework**, which embeds compliance controls at the point of issuance. This allows institutional-grade assets to interact seamlessly with decentralised finance (DeFi) protocols. Non-US authorised participants can mint or redeem deSPXA at net asset value, ensuring liquidity and fair pricing. This marks the first time an equity index fund can be traded continuously on a public blockchain. The launch follows growing interest in tokenised assets, with firms like Franklin Templeton and BlackRock already managing similar products in money markets and government bonds. Meanwhile, Valinor—a startup focused on blockchain-native credit markets—recently secured **$25 million in seed funding**. The round was led by Castle Island Ventures and included investors from both crypto and fintech sectors. Valinor aims to expand access to tokenised credit instruments, further bridging traditional finance and DeFi.
deSPXA offers non-US investors round-the-clock access to the S&P 500 through a regulated, blockchain-based product. The fund's integration with DeFi protocols could set a precedent for future tokenised assets. Meanwhile, Valinor's funding highlights ongoing investment in blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
