Franklin Templeton Launches Franklin Crypto After Completing 250 Digital Acquisition

Franklin Templeton, one of the world's largest asset managers with approximately $1.78 trillion in assets under management (AUM), has officially completed its acquisition of digital asset investment firm 250 Digital and unveiled a new crypto-focused business unit called Franklin Crypto.

The newly established division is designed to serve institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, endowments, and other large-scale financial entities seeking exposure to digital assets. The move signals Franklin Templeton’s deeper commitment to the cryptocurrency sector, transitioning from exploratory initiatives to actively managed crypto investment strategies.

Franklin Crypto will leverage blockchain infrastructure across several major networks, including XRP Ledger (XRP), Stellar (XLM), Polygon (MATIC), and Aptos (APT). The division will be led by industry veteran Christopher Perkins, who takes on the role of Head of Franklin Crypto, alongside Chief Investment Officer Seth Ginns. Both executives will collaborate closely with Tony Pecore from Franklin Templeton Digital Assets to drive the company’s digital asset strategy forward.

Franklin Templeton first announced its agreement to acquire 250 Digital in April. The crypto investment firm was originally spun out of CoinFund in early 2025. As part of the transaction, Franklin Templeton utilized BENJI tokens, the tokenized version of its Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund, to partially finance the acquisition.

The investment giant is also allocating its own capital to support liquid cryptocurrency strategies previously managed by CoinFund, highlighting its growing confidence in the long-term potential of digital assets.

The launch follows several recent crypto-related initiatives from Franklin Templeton. Earlier this month, the firm submitted filings for two new Bitcoin-linked exchange-traded funds (ETFs), offering investors exposure to portfolios consisting of 95% U.S. equities and 5% Bitcoin. Additionally, the company’s spot XRP ETF (XRPZ) has attracted significant investor interest, recording $6.7 million in net inflows during the trading week of June 14–18, making it one of the top-performing products in its category.

With the creation of Franklin Crypto and continued expansion into blockchain-based investment products, Franklin Templeton is positioning itself as a major force in the rapidly evolving digital asset industry.