Partnership Details and Objectives
Mirae Asset Global Investments, a major asset manager with $316 billion in assets, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ava Labs to explore fund tokenization. The agreement was announced on Thursday and focuses on developing on-chain operation and settlement systems using the Avalanche blockchain.
Under this partnership, the two companies will conduct joint research and feasibility studies on tokenizing fund products. They plan to connect with the global institutional ecosystem and run pilot projects to build out operational infrastructure. The collaboration specifically aims to convert select Mirae Asset products into tokenized instruments where local regulations permit.
Technical Infrastructure and Market Focus
Mirae Asset intends to leverage Avalanche’s high throughput and low latency infrastructure for pilot tokenization projects in key jurisdictions like the United States and Hong Kong. These markets were chosen because their regulatory frameworks are developing and, in some cases, already allow tokenized financial products.
The goal is to create a scalable tokenization framework that could eventually be applied across Mirae Asset’s international fund lineup. This includes building the operational backbone needed for custody, settlement, and payments at scale. I think this approach makes sense because they’re starting with markets that have clearer regulatory pathways.
Strategic Importance for Both Parties
Founded in 2003, Mirae Asset has grown into a global manager operating across 16 regions, with overseas assets comprising about 45% of its total assets under management. The company views this collaboration as a strategic step in accelerating its digital transformation and expanding client investment options.
Ava Labs has been working with various financial and public-sector partners to demonstrate real-world use cases for tokenization. Recent projects include proof-of-concept work with banks and support for national-scale stablecoin initiatives. Their focus seems to be on speed, compliance, and institutional tooling.
John Nahas, Chief Business Officer of Ava Labs, commented that tokenization is becoming a new standard in global finance. He noted this partnership reflects a trend extending beyond Asia to the world. The combination of Mirae Asset’s scale and Avalanche’s infrastructure could potentially accelerate on-chain asset management development.
Industry Context and Future Outlook
Kim Young-hwan, President of Mirae Asset’s Innovation and Global Management Division, described the MOU as a key step in strengthening digital transformation capabilities. He believes pairing blockchain technology with Mirae Asset’s operational expertise will help speed tokenization of real-world assets.
This deal follows broader industry trends where traditional financial players are testing tokenized securities and payment rails on various networks. If the pilots succeed, they might demonstrate operational workflows that meet regulatory and investor requirements.
The two firms plan to begin joint studies and pilot work immediately, with further details on timing and specific products to be announced as projects progress. It’s interesting to see how these partnerships are evolving beyond just technical experiments to actual operational frameworks.
