The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation has moved Treasury securities held in its DTC custody onto the Canton blockchain. Canton's network for real-world assets currently tracks $6 trillion in value. In a separate development, Lighter's LIT token started trading with a fee structure comparable to Hyperliquid.
A blockchain for $6 trillion in real-world assets
Canton is a blockchain protocol designed for privacy and scalability, often used by financial institutions. Its real-world asset (RWA) rails facilitate the tokenization of assets like bonds, gold, and now Treasuries. The $6 trillion figure covers all assets currently tracked or settled on the network, making it one of the largest RWA blockchain ecosystems in operation.
DTCC puts Treasuries on the chain
The DTCC's move brings the U.S. Treasury securities that it clears and settles through its DTC depository onto Canton. This is a notable step in the digitization of traditional finance. While tokenized Treasuries have become popular in decentralized finance, this is one of the first instances where a central securities depository has directly moved custody assets onto a blockchain. The exact timeline for the transfer wasn't disclosed, but the Treasuries are now live on Canton.
Lighter's LIT token goes live
Lighter, a platform focused on tokenized trading, launched its LIT token this week. The token's fee multiple is comparable to Hyperliquid, a high-performance decentralized exchange known for its competitive pricing. Lighter aims to attract traders with a similar cost structure, though trading volumes in the early hours appeared modest. The launch adds another player to the growing list of venues offering tokenized derivatives and spot trading.
The DTCC's Treasuries are now accessible through Canton, while Lighter's LIT is trading. Both developments underscore the push to bring traditional assets onto blockchains, but how quickly the broader market adopts these rails remains an open question.
