The Injective blockchain has introduced a groundbreaking tokenized index linked to BlackRock’s USD Institutional Digital Liquidity (BUIDL) Fund. This innovative index provides traders with the ability to engage with the fund through on-chain financial products, representing a significant step forward in the realm of asset tokenization.

Unlike traditional indices that track price movements, the BUIDL index monitors the fund’s supply, offering a fresh perspective on institutional involvement in the crypto space. This approach addresses the growing demand for greater transparency in fund flows, delivering valuable insights into institutional crypto activities.

INJ Token Soars Post BUIDL Fund Announcement

Eric Chen, the co-founder and CEO of Injective Labs said that for the first time, institutions and retail users alike can gain direct access to a novel RWA offering that tracks the actual fund spearheaded by BlackRock.

The launch of the BUIDL index has had a positive impact on Injective’s native token, INJ, which experienced a 14% surge immediately following the announcement. At the time of writing, the INJ token remains up by approximately 10.80%, trading at $17 (INJ-USDT) on Gate.io.

The BUIDL index is available for trading on decentralized exchanges built on the Injective platform, such as Helix, where traders can leverage positions on the index. The index’s value is determined by fluctuations in the supply of BUIDL tokens, with a 1-hour time-weighted average price (TWAP) mechanism in place to mitigate the impact of large token movements and reduce volatility.

Broader Access to Institutional Funds

This new development opens up access to the BUIDL fund, which was previously an exclusive product reserved for institutional investors with a minimum investment of $5 million. To date, only 18 holders own BUIDL tokens, with the largest holding over 33% of the fund, valued at approximately $178 million.

Now, a much wider audience can participate in the BUIDL index, with entry points starting as low as $1. This initiative aims to democratize the access to tokenized assets, potentially transforming the way retail investors engage with such opportunities.

As of early September, the BUIDL fund boasts a market capitalization exceeding $517 million. Additionally, the fund achieved a record monthly dividend payout of $2.1 million in July.

The broader trend of asset tokenization, particularly with US treasuries on platforms like BlackRock’s BUIDL and Franklin Templeton’s FOBXX, is contributing significantly to the market, with a combined value of $2.15 billion. This surge in tokenization efforts underscores a strong interest in real-world assets and positions the BUIDL fund as a key barometer of institutional sentiment toward the cryptocurrency market.

What is the BUIDL Fund?

The BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund, commonly referred to as the BUIDL Fund, represents BlackRock’s first venture into tokenized funds on a public blockchain. Launched on the Ethereum blockchain, BUIDL is designed to offer institutional investors a secure and efficient way to earn yields on U.S. dollar-backed assets through tokenization.

Primary focus of the fund is to invest in low-risk assets such as U.S. Treasury bills, cash, and repurchase agreements, ensuring stable returns. The unique aspect of BUIDL is that it tokenizes these investments, allowing them to be traded on a blockchain, which offers enhanced liquidity, immediate settlement, and the transparency that comes with blockchain technology. Each BUIDL token is pegged to a stable value of $1, making it a reliable investment vehicle.

The fund is targeted at qualified institutional investors, with a minimum investment threshold of $5 million. However, through the tokenization process, the fund has opened up new opportunities for broader participation, particularly as it integrates with decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, enabling smaller-scale investors to gain exposure to these traditionally inaccessible institutional-grade assets.

Overall, the BUIDL Fund is a significant step forward in the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), reflecting growing institutional interest in blockchain technology and digital assets​.

INJ Price Prediction for 2025

The price projections for Injective’s (INJ) token in 2025 vary widely depending on different market conditions and analyst perspectives.

On the optimistic side, some forecasts suggest that INJ could see significant growth, with potential highs reaching between $46.12 and $102.43. This bullish scenario is based on factors such as increased adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications on the Injective platform, ongoing technological upgrades, and the token’s deflationary model, which involves regular token burns to reduce supply and potentially drive up prices.

However, other predictions are more conservative, with estimates suggesting that INJ could trade within a range of $14.04 to $31.89, depending on broader market trends and the success of Injective’s ecosystem in attracting more users and liquidity. There are also bearish scenarios where the price could fall as low as $16.39 if the market faces significant downturns or if Injective fails to achieve broader adoption.

Overall, while there is potential for significant gains, the price of INJ in 2025 will likely depend on the usual suspects, including market conditions, regulatory developments, and the continued growth of the Injective ecosystem.