Janus Henderson and Centrifuge launch first licensed Nasdaq-100 on-chain fund

Janus Henderson and tokenization platform Centrifuge have launched JQQQ, an issuer-sponsored on-chain fund on the Stellar blockchain that tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, according to CoinDesk. Janus Henderson, which oversees roughly $500 billion in assets, issues and manages the fund while Centrifuge provides the blockchain infrastructure; Nasdaq licenses the index.

JQQQ follows Janus Henderson’s earlier on-chain S&P 500 fund (SPXA) and expands the firm’s on-chain investment platform, which now includes more than $1 billion across Treasuries, structured credit and equities.

The issuer-backed model contrasts with third-party tokens that may be backed by custodial shares or structured instruments without direct involvement from the underlying companies, a distinction highlighted by recent objections from 22 firms to tokenized trading on the OKX-ICE venue. Nasdaq’s Sean Wasserman noted growing demand for transparent benchmark exposure via digital infrastructure.

Our read: The JQQQ launch demonstrates a maturing tokenization framework where traditional asset managers retain control over on-chain products, potentially easing regulatory scrutiny and offering B2B marketers a new class of compliant, blockchain-native investment vehicles for go-to-market strategies.