FTSE Russell and Chainlink Transform Markets by Integrating Conventional and DeFi Indices

FTSE Russell, a prominent global index provider, has joined forces with blockchain oracle platform

to bring its internationally recognized market indices onto the blockchain for the first time, representing a major advancement in connecting traditional finance with decentralized ecosystems. Announced through Chainlink's DataLink service, this partnership will provide access to indices like the Russell 1000, Russell 2000, FTSE 100, and digital asset benchmarks across more than 50 public and private blockchains. The initiative is designed to speed up the adoption of tokenized assets and support the development of innovative financial products, such as ETFs and regulated DeFi solutions.

This project utilizes Chainlink’s robust, institutional-grade infrastructure to securely deliver FTSE Russell’s premium data, which supports over $18 trillion in assets managed worldwide. By making index data available onchain, FTSE Russell is meeting the demand for real-time, tamper-resistant benchmarks that both institutions and developers can rely on. Fiona Bassett, CEO of FTSE Russell, stated that the collaboration "represents a significant milestone in fostering innovation around tokenized assets and future financial products," and noted that DataLink enables the company to "safely share the core data of our most trusted benchmarks with global onchain markets."

Sergey Nazarov of Chainlink described the partnership as a "pivotal event for the sector," emphasizing that DataLink’s secure and dependable infrastructure allows benchmark providers to supply high-quality financial data directly to blockchain environments, building trust and enabling new possibilities. This integration gives DeFi platforms and developers round-the-clock access to FTSE Russell’s data across various blockchains, potentially paving the way for new applications in asset tokenization and interoperability between chains.

This collaboration reflects a broader movement in financial markets toward greater transparency and real-time data. FTSE Russell’s indices already serve as a foundation for both institutional and retail investors, with about $18.1 trillion benchmarked to its offerings. By making these benchmarks available within blockchain networks, FTSE Russell is taking a leading role in the merging of traditional and decentralized finance. Chainlink’s established infrastructure, which has enabled over $25 trillion in transaction volume and secured close to $100 billion in DeFi total value locked, adds further credibility to this onchain data solution.

This step also demonstrates FTSE Russell’s ongoing commitment to innovation and to broadening its presence in emerging asset categories. Gerald Toledano, Global Head of Equity and Multi Assets at FTSE Russell, has previously underscored the company’s dedication to "raising the bar for rules-based, consistent benchmarking" in private markets, as seen in its recent collaboration with StepStone to launch daily private market indices. The current onchain project continues this mission, using Chainlink’s network to make institutional-grade financial data more widely accessible.

As the financial sector transforms, integrating trusted benchmarks into blockchain platforms could revolutionize market operations, supporting seamless, transparent, and efficient transactions across both conventional and decentralized systems.