Global asset manager Franklin Templeton is ramping up its crypto ambitions with the launch of a dedicated unit, Franklin Crypto, backed by a planned acquisition of CoinFund spinoff 250 Digital.
Introducing Franklin Crypto
Set to close in Q2, the deal pulls 250 Digital’s entire team and its liquid crypto strategies into Franklin Templeton, which will also allocate capital to support them.
Christopher Perkins will head the new Franklin Crypto unit, with Seth Ginns stepping in as CIO alongside digital assets veteran Tony Pecore, as Franklin Templeton ramps up its crypto investment push for institutional clients. The unit will report directly to Sandy Kaul, Franklin Templeton’s head of innovation, anchoring the division within the firm’s forward-looking strategy.
“Crypto’s institutional moment has arrived, and Franklin Crypto will help our global clients navigate this complex and rapidly evolving asset class by delivering the expertise, knowledge, and digital asset products that meet their sophisticated investment needs,” Perkins posited in a statement.
The expansion builds on Franklin Templeton’s $1.8 billion digital asset business and marks a shift toward more active crypto investment strategies alongside its existing products. The firm made history in 2024 as one of the early movers, launching a US-listed spot Bitcoin ETF alongside major players like BlackRock.
 
The launch of Franklin Crypto underscores a growing industry shift, with major asset managers moving beyond passive ETF products to establish internal crypto investment capabilities.
Deal To Incorporate Benji Tokens As Payment Consideration
Although financial details of the 250 Digital deal were not disclosed, Franklin Templeton noted that BENJI tokens, tied to its on-chain U.S. Government Money Fund, will be used as payment consideration, marking a step toward on-chain M&A transactions.
Franklin Templeton first launched its tokenized money market fund in 2021, later expanding to Ethereum in 2024, and since then scaling across major networks, including Solana, as well as Ethereum L2s like Base and Arbitrum.
Franklin Templeton’s acquisition comes against the backdrop of a prolonged crypto downturn, with Bitcoin down about 45.8% from its October 2025 peak of roughly $126,080.
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