In this episode of Talking Tokenization, Jacquelyn Melinek speaks with Parker Edwards, partner at Framework Ventures, about deploying a $2.5 billion mandate to bring institutional-grade yield onchain through Obex, a Sky-focused incubator. Parker announces the first cohort where it’s deploying $1 billion across eight companies including Maple, Centrifuge, Securitize, River, and Better Home & Finance, spanning areas like structured credit, mortgages, energy, and AI infrastructure.

He explains why real-world assets are finally reaching institutional scale, with players like Apollo and BlackRock actively participating. The conversation covers why established companies with deep domain expertise are better positioned to scale with Obex than early-stage startups, how Sky grew to $11.5 billion in USDS stablecoin supply, and the plan to hit $20 billion by 2026.This episode is sponsored by Securitize, the proven leader in tokenized funds, equities, and private markets. Discover more at securitize.io.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Intro with Parker Edwards, partner at Framework Ventures
(00:25) What is Obex and its $2.5 billion mandate to deploy capital into Sky ecosystem
(01:09) Sky's growth to $11.5 billion in stablecoin supply as third largest stablecoin
(02:06) Why Framework Ventures is administering the Obex incubator
(02:52) First cohort: Maple, USD.ai, Centrifuge, Securitize, River, Better, and others deploying $1 billion
(04:12) Why it chose more established players over early-stage startups for day-one scale
(06:06) State of RWAs: institutional-grade founders with deep domain expertise entering the space
(08:03) Asset manager mandates: structured credit, private credit, energy, and AI infrastructure
(10:05) Why Better Home & Finance chose to build on Sky for mortgage tokenization
(13:33) Real cash-flowing assets onchain without artificial yield incentives
(15:15) How DeFi is competing with banks and credit funds on quality assets
(17:13) Apollo and BlackRock participating onchain
(20:16) Sky's recent $435 million revenue and $20 billion stablecoin target by end of 2026
(22:20) Why USDS won't replace USDC or USDT but serves different institutional roles
(27:26) Final advice

ESSENTIALS

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Framework Ventures Is Deploying $2.5 Billion Into Institutional-Grade Yield | Parker Edwards