Franklin Templeton is establishing its own crypto division: the acquisition deal for 250 Digital has been completed.
Asset management giant Franklin Templeton, with $1.78 trillion in assets under management, has officially completed the acquisition of 250 Digital on June 22, 2026. This move marked the launch of Franklin Crypto — a new, fully autonomous division focused on managing digital assets. This is not merely a portfolio expansion, but a strategic integration of the firm's proprietary developments with institutional infrastructure to meet growing demand from major players.
Deal Closure and Team Integration
As part of this deal, the entire team of 250 Digital, along with all liquid cryptocurrency strategies previously managed through CoinFund, will now be under the direct management of Franklin Templeton. The company will directly invest its own capital into these strategies. Thus, the deal announced on April 1, 2026, has finally closed. This confirms Franklin Templeton's long-term plans to develop in the digital assets space, which the company began exploring as early as 2018 by launching one of the first U.S. funds to use public blockchains for trading operations and recording ownership rights of shares.
Key Team of the New Division
Christopher Perkins has been appointed head of Franklin Crypto, and Seth Ginns has become acting Chief Investment Officer. They will work in partnership with Franklin Templeton Digital Assets veteran Tony Pecora. The division reports to Sandy Kaul, head of innovation. CEO Jenny Johnson emphasized that the experience of the 250 Digital team enhances the company's capabilities in digital assets and positions Franklin Templeton among the few global asset managers with an in-house team dedicated to institutional cryptocurrency strategies.
Institutional Scale and Active Crypto Strategies
As of May 31, 2026, Franklin Templeton's assets under management totaled $1.78 trillion. Franklin Crypto leverages the expertise of its own digital team, focusing on fundamental research, active portfolio management, and an institutional approach to risk management. The new division targets institutional clients interested in active cryptocurrency strategies within a regulated environment and broad geographic presence. Franklin Crypto combines professional execution in the crypto market with Franklin Templeton's proven infrastructure and client base, planning to launch active cryptocurrency strategies for institutional investors worldwide.
Analyst Comment: The creation of Franklin Crypto is not just another acquisition, but a signal that a traditional financial giant is ready to compete at the level of "active" strategies, not just passive ETFs. This could act as a catalyst for a new wave of institutional adoption, particularly in the segment of complex, actively managed products.