Coinbase Tokenizes Bitcoin Fund on Base Blockchain for Institutional Investors

March 19, 2026 Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor Health

Coinbase Asset Management has launched a tokenized share class of its Bitcoin Yield Fund on the Base network, in partnership with Apex Group, marking a significant step toward bringing traditional finance structures on-chain.

The fund, initially available to non-U.S. Investors, utilizes the ERC-3643 permissioned token standard to embed compliance rules directly into the smart contract, automating investor verification and eligibility checks. Apex Group will continue to serve as the transfer agent, ensuring alignment between tokenized records and the fund’s net asset value (NAV).

The move reflects a growing trend among major asset managers to explore tokenization as a means to reduce costs, accelerate settlement times, and expand distribution channels for investment products. Coinbase plans to extend this model to its U.S. Bitcoin Yield Fund, pending regulatory approvals.

According to a statement released by Apex Group, the initiative enables institutional asset managers like Coinbase Asset Management to offer clients increased functionality with their investment holdings. The ERC-3643 structure facilitates interoperability across the digital asset ecosystem while maintaining strict regulatory controls.

Investor onboarding will be conducted through the CBAM Investor Portal powered by Tokeny, ensuring each participant is linked to a compliant on-chain identity. Each investor will be verified and approved before subscribing to, holding, or transferring digital shares, with identity integrated at the core of the token architecture.

“The enablement of a tokenized Coinbase Bitcoin Yield Fund represents a clear step forward in modernizing regulated fund distribution onchain,” Apex Group stated.

Apex Group CEO Peter Hughes emphasized the role of digital assets in modern fund distribution, highlighting the potential for platforms like Apex Invest.io to expand distribution channels. Apex Group aims to tokenize $100 billion in funds by 2027, according to the company.

Coinbase Asset Management President Anthony Bassili noted that the tokenized fund infrastructure is now scalable, meeting regulatory and operational standards of traditional markets. CBAM’s Bitcoin Yield Fund is designed for investors already holding Bitcoin and Ether who seek to generate yield on those assets through strategies such as selling call options and participating in lending agreements.

The launch comes as global asset managers, including BlackRock, Fidelity, and Franklin Templeton, have introduced tokenized funds in recent years. Estimates for the potential size of the tokenized asset market range from $2 trillion by 2030, according to McKinsey, to $18.9 trillion by 2033, as projected by BCG and Ripple.