What Is Ondo (ONDO) and How Does It Work?
Ondo (ONDO) is the native token of Ondo Finance, a decentralized finance (
DeFi) platform focused on
tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs) like U.S. Treasuries, bonds, and money market funds. It aims to bridge traditional finance (TradFi) with blockchain, making institutional-grade financial products accessible to crypto users worldwide.
How Ondo Finance Works
1. Asset Acquisition: Ondo works with partners like BlackRock to gain exposure to assets such as U.S. Treasuries.
• USDY: Tokenized short-term U.S. Treasuries with daily yield payouts.
• OUSG: Offers exposure to BlackRock’s U.S. Treasury ETF.
• rOUSG: A rebasing version that automatically increases balances as yield accrues.
3. Smart Contracts: DeFi users can buy and trade these tokens on-chain while maintaining transparency and liquidity.
4. Governance: ONDO token holders govern key protocol decisions through the Ondo DAO, such as treasury strategies, asset onboarding, and product upgrades.
Ondo partners with major financial institutions and custodians including BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, Ankura Trust, Clear Street, and NAV Consulting. These partnerships ensure the real-world backing and legal compliance of tokenized assets.
By bringing regulated financial products on-chain, Ondo enables crypto users to access stable, yield-generating assets typically reserved for institutions. It also unlocks new DeFi opportunities by integrating RWAs into
smart contract ecosystems.
How Does Ondo Tokenize Real-World Assets (RWAs)?
Ondo Finance tokenizes RWAs by converting traditional financial instruments like U.S. Treasuries and bonds into blockchain-based tokens. This process brings the benefits of DeFi, such as transparency, speed, and accessibility, to historically off-chain, institution-only markets.
Ondo's Tokenization Process: Step-by-Step
1. Asset Custody: Ondo partners with trusted financial institutions (e.g., BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, Ankura Trust) to securely hold underlying real-world assets, such as short-term U.S. Treasury bills or money market funds.
2. On-Chain Tokenization: Ondo issues ERC-20 compliant tokens that represent shares in these off-chain assets:
• USDY – A token backed by U.S. Treasuries and bank deposits, paying yield daily.
• OUSG – Tokenized exposure to BlackRock’s U.S. Treasury ETF.
• rOUSG – Rebasing version of OUSG, which automatically increases in balance as interest accrues.
3. Smart Contract Infrastructure: Each token is governed by transparent smart contracts deployed on
Ethereum and other compatible blockchains. These contracts define:
• Who can mint/redeem tokens
• Yield distribution logic
• Redemption processes
4. Compliance & KYC: Ondo enforces regulated access:
• Certain tokens (like USDY) require KYC for U.S. compliance.
• Institutional-grade custody and AML standards are maintained.
5. DeFi Integration: Once issued, these RWA tokens can be:
• Traded on DEXs and CEXs
• Used in DeFi protocols (e.g., lending, collateralization)
Ondo tokenizes real-world assets like U.S. Treasuries, allowing users to earn passive yield from government-backed investments. By bridging traditional finance and DeFi, it makes institutional-grade assets accessible to crypto users while boosting on-chain liquidity and offering a more stable alternative during volatile market conditions.
When Was Ondo Finance Launched?
Ondo was founded in March 2021 by former Goldman Sachs digital assets executives Nathan Allman and Pinku Surana. It was officially introduced in July 2021, with a seed round led by Pantera Capital raising $4 million.
Ondo Finance Launch & Early Products
First Product Launch: August 2021 — Ondo Vaults went live, offering users sustainable yield strategies with “enhanced returns” or “downside protection."
Token Sales:
• Seed Round: December 2021 raised $4 million at $0.013 per ONDO.
• Public Sale: May 12, 2022 raised $10 million via CoinList at $0.03 per ONDO.
• Series A: April 2022 raised $20 million led by Founders Fund.
Growth & Product Roadmap
• Early Expansion: Launched USDY (yield-bearing U.S. Treasury token), OUSG (short-term Treasury ETF exposure), and Flux Finance (tokenized collateral lending protocol).
• Ondo Chain Launch: On February 6, 2025 at Ondo Summit NYC, the specialized permissioned
Layer‑1 blockchain for RWAs was officially unveiled.
• Infrastructure Suite: Unveiled comprehensive tools including “Ondo Global Markets” (on‑chain securities platform), permissioned validators, RWA staking, and cross‑chain support.
What Are the Main Use Cases of ONDO Token?
The ONDO token is primarily used for governance within the Ondo DAO, allowing holders to vote on protocol upgrades, treasury allocations, and ecosystem decisions. It also plays a role in ecosystem incentives, such as staking rewards and participation in community-led initiatives across Ondo’s RWA infrastructure.
You can trade ONDO tokens on the
BingX spot market by logging into your account, searching for the
ONDO/USDT pair, and placing a buy or sell order in just a few clicks. BingX provides real-time price charts, liquidity, and order book depth to support your trading strategy.
What Is Ondo Finance Tokenomics?
The ONDO token has a
total supply of 10 billion tokens, designed to support long-term ecosystem growth, governance, and community engagement within the Ondo Finance ecosystem.
ONDO Token Allocation
1. Ecosystem & Community: 36.25%
2. Investors: 25.72%
3. Core Contributors: 23.25%
4. Strategic Partners: 9.78%
What Are the Differences Between Various Ondo Products?
Ondo Finance offers a suite of tokenized RWA products designed to provide users with stable, yield-generating exposure to U.S. financial instruments. The main offerings include USDY, OUSG, and rOUSG, each tailored to different user needs. USDY is a yield-bearing stablecoin alternative backed by short-term U.S. Treasuries and bank deposits, distributing a fixed daily yield. It’s ideal for users seeking a compliant, low-risk income stream, though it requires KYC verification. In contrast, OUSG provides exposure to BlackRock’s U.S. Treasury ETF (SHV) but does not rebase; it accrues yield over time, making it more suitable for institutional investors.
rOUSG is a rebasing version of OUSG, meaning it automatically increases the holder’s token balance as interest accrues. This makes it easier to integrate with DeFi protocols, enabling seamless use in lending, staking, or liquidity pools. All three products are issued as ERC-20 tokens and require KYC, maintaining regulatory compliance while unlocking passive income opportunities through tokenized U.S. government-backed securities. Together, these products allow users to choose between fixed daily income, ETF exposure, or DeFi-optimized yield strategies, bridging traditional finance with the on-chain economy.
What Blockchain Network Does Ondo Operate on?
Ondo Finance operates on its own purpose-built Layer‑1 blockchain called
Ondo Chain, a
proof‑of‑stake network specifically designed to support institutional-grade RWAs with permissioned validators, native staking of tokenized securities, and built-in cross-chain interoperability on a public-permissioned,
EVM-compatible infrastructure. It also supports tokenized products on Ethereum,
Solana, and
Cosmos, ensuring flexibility and wider DeFi integration across multiple public blockchains
How to Store ONDO Tokens Securely
To store your ONDO tokens securely, the easiest and most convenient option is to keep them directly in your BingX account wallet. This method is ideal for active traders or users who want quick access to ONDO for spot trading, portfolio management, or conversions. BingX implements strong security measures, including multi-layered asset protection,
cold wallet storage for the majority of user funds, and account security features like two-factor authentication (
2FA) and anti-
phishing codes. Keeping your ONDO on BingX also allows you to take advantage of any future promotions or trading campaigns without needing to transfer tokens from an external wallet.
For long-term storage or users who prefer full control over their assets, you can store ONDO in a self-custodial wallet that supports Ethereum-based ERC-20 tokens, such as
MetaMask,
Trust Wallet, or
Ledger (hardware wallet). These wallets allow you to manage your private keys directly, offering higher levels of security and privacy. To do this, simply withdraw ONDO from your BingX account to your
Ethereum wallet address. Always double-check that the address is correct and that you’re using a wallet compatible with ERC-20 tokens. For maximum protection, consider using a hardware wallet and avoid sharing your
seed phrase with anyone.
What Makes Ondo Finance (ONDO) a Good Investment?
Ondo stands out by pioneering the tokenization of RWAs, capturing a significant market share, over $1.3BTVL as of June 2025, through secure, compliant exposure to U.S. Treasury bills and ETFs. This institutional-grade infrastructure brings benefits like enhanced capital efficiency, instant settlement, and deep on-chain liquidity across multiple networks. Smart contracts on Ondo Chain enable users to earn yield from traditional assets, while leveraging EVM-compatibility and advanced interoperability tools like Ondo Bridge and Nexus, creating a seamless link between TradFi and DeFi.
ONDO’s governance token plays a crucial role in shaping the protocol’s future and capturing value from its growth. Holders participate in DAO decision-making and benefit from increased adoption as Ondo expands, bolstered by strategic partnerships with BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, World Liberty Financial, and others . As demand for tokenized securities rises and RWA becomes mainstream, ONDO is positioned to draw institutional capital and user interest, potentially driving price appreciation. Additionally, its robust security (multiple audits, no hacks to date) and regulatory compliance further enhance its appeal to risk-conscious investors.