Coinbase Asset Management, in partnership with global asset manager Apex Group, has launched a tokenized share class of its Bitcoin yield fund on the Base network, Coinbase's Ethereum layer-2 blockchain. This initiative, announced on March 19, 2026, marks a significant step in bridging traditional finance with blockchain technology by offering institutional and accredited investors direct exposure to Bitcoin through a compliant, on-chain fund structure.
The fund utilizes the ERC-3643 token standard, which embeds compliance and identity verification rules directly into the token. This ensures that only verified and eligible participants can subscribe, hold, or transfer shares. Investor onboarding is handled through a portal powered by Tokeny, a company acquired by Apex Group, linking each investor to a verified on-chain identity.
Apex Group, which services over $3.5 trillion in assets, acts as the transfer agent, managing investor records and net asset value calculations. The partnership brings substantial institutional credibility to the project. Peter Hughes, Founder and CEO of Apex Group, stated that "compliance travels with the token" and that digital assets form the backbone of modern fund distribution.
Anthony Bassili, President of Coinbase Asset Management, highlighted that tokenized fund infrastructure has reached a scalable stage that matches the regulatory and operational standards of traditional markets. He noted this launch demonstrates how real-world assets can move on-chain while preserving full compliance. Coinbase plans to extend this model to additional funds, including its US Bitcoin Yield Fund.
The Base network was chosen for its technical advantages as an Ethereum layer-2 solution, offering faster transaction processing, lower gas fees, and robust security through Ethereum's underlying consensus mechanism. This efficiency makes the tokenized fund economically viable for regular operations.
This development signals a broader industry shift toward the tokenization of traditional financial instruments. Apex Group has set a target of $100 billion in tokenized funds by 2027 through its T-REX Ledger initiative, having already supported over $32 billion in tokenized assets via Tokeny.
