Chainlink Introduces CRE to Fast-Track Institutional Tokenization

Chainlink has launched the Chainlink Runtime Environment (CRE), a new software platform designed to let institutions deploy smart contracts across public and private blockchains with built-in tools for compliance, privacy, and data integration.

Unveiled during Chainlink’s SmartCon, CRE is part of the platform's push to become core infrastructure for financial institutions moving into blockchain-based rails.

Chainlink positioned CRE as a foundation for the tokenization shift, pointing out that major institutions including Swift, Euroclear, UBS, and Mastercard are adopting it “to capture the $867 trillion tokenization opportunity.”

CRE was first unveiled a year ago, where Chainlink likened the platform’s significance to that of Java’s development environment for the internet era.

Unlike previous blockchain tooling, CRE offers a single environment where developers can write smart contracts that work across multiple blockchains, tap into legacy financial messaging standards like ISO 20022, and comply with regulatory requirements.

CRE also includes access to Chainlink's existing services such as price feeds and proof-of-reserve systems.

A number of major players are already using the platform. JPMorgan’s Kinexys and Ondo completed a cross-chain settlement using CRE, while UBS Tokenize and DigiFT leveraged it for the first-ever on-chain redemption of a tokenized fund.

“Smart contracts have evolved into a more complex form, requiring synchronization across chains, connectivity to data and identity, as well as synchronization with many other existing systems,” said Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov.

“These advanced institutional smart contracts have previously taken months to years to get right, and with the launch of CRE we can now reduce that down to weeks or even just days,” Nazarov added.

Chainlink plans to add privacy features in early 2026, including confidential computing for institutions that require secure handling of proprietary data. CRE is now live on multiple blockchains and open to developers.