Franklin Templeton has agreed to acquire 250 Digital, a company spun out of CoinFund, in order to launch a new division under the Franklin Crypto brand. The new structure will focus on liquid crypto strategies for large institutional investors, and the transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.
Franklin Templeton Expands Its Presence in Digital Assets
Franklin Templeton, which manages more than $1.7 trillion in assets, has announced the acquisition of 250 Digital as part of the expansion of its cryptocurrency and digital investment business. Once the transaction is completed, the company will launch Franklin Crypto, a division aimed at institutional clients, including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and other large investors.
The deal includes the entire 250 Digital Investment team, as well as the liquid crypto strategies previously developed within CoinFund. In addition, Franklin Templeton plans to invest in these strategies as part of the agreement. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
What Franklin Templeton Will Gain From the Deal
The acquisition of 250 Digital will give Franklin Templeton more than just a new brand. It will provide the company with an institutional-ready platform backed by specialized expertise in liquid digital assets. This is especially important at a time when large investors are increasingly viewing the crypto market as a полноценный asset class rather than an experimental segment.
250 Digital was spun out of CoinFund in January 2026. For Franklin Templeton, this means rapid access to an established team of specialists, ready-made strategies, and existing experience in managing crypto investments.
Who Will Lead Franklin Crypto
The new division will be led by former CoinFund executives Christopher Perkins and Seth Ginns. They will work alongside Tony Pecor, one of the key figures at Franklin Templeton Digital Assets. The entire structure will operate under the leadership of Sandy Kaul, the company’s head of innovation.
This leadership lineup shows that Franklin Templeton is not only acquiring ready-made strategies, but also integrating deep crypto expertise into its own investment infrastructure.
The Deal Fits Into the Company’s Long-Term Digital Strategy
Franklin Templeton has been developing its digital assets business since 2018. Over that time, the company has built a specialized team focused on blockchain infrastructure, digital investment products, tokenization, and research into new forms of financial markets.
The company emphasizes that the launch of Franklin Crypto will not rеplace its existing crypto and blockchain operations, but rather serve as a natural extension of them. The new brand is expected to strengthen the current digital assets platform and complement the firm’s existing crypto investment portfolio.
Why This Deal Matters Beyond Franklin Templeton
The transaction shows that the largest traditional asset managers are no longer merely watching the crypto market from the sidelines. They are no longer just testing isolated products, but are now systematically building their own institutional platforms for working with digital assets.
This is particularly important at a time when interest in crypto from large investors is becoming increasingly practical. The market is gradually shifting from early experimentation toward the creation of stable infrastructure designed for professional participants with long-term investment objectives.
Franklin Templeton Already Has Strong Experience in Digital Assets
The acquisition of 250 Digital is not Franklin Templeton’s first step into the crypto industry. The company has been active in this segment for years and has already launched several notable products. In 2021, it introduced the tokenized money market fund BENJI, which became one of the most visible examples of blockchain technology being applied to traditional financial instruments.
In addition, Franklin Templeton was among the firms that brought spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs to the U.S. market after their launches in 2024. This confirms that the current acquisition is not a one-off attempt to boost visibility in a fashionable sector, but part of a broader and consistent strategy to strengthen its institutional position in the crypto economy.
BENJI’s Special Role in the Transaction
An additional point of interest is that Franklin Templeton plans to inсlude BENJI tokens as part of the consideration for the transaction. This sets the agreement apart from traditional corporate acquisitions and shows that the company is already using its own tokenized instruments not only in investment products, but also in corporate financial operations.
In essence, Franklin Templeton is demonstrating that digital assets can be used not only as investment vehicles, but also as practical elements of settlement and financial infrastructure within major transactions.
Why the Company Is Moving Aggressively Now
Franklin Templeton’s leadership believes that the recent weakness in the crypto market should be viewed not as a barrier, but as an opportunity to strengthen its position. In the company’s view, the sharp market correction has created a rare entry point and allows it to build a stronger foothold before the next phase of market growth begins.
In addition, periods of market instability can encourage experienced professionals to move toward large institutional platforms. This makes the current moment especially attractive not only for acquiring strategies, but also for building a stronger team within the new division.
When the Deal Is Expected to Close
The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2026. Its closing will require the signing of final documents, client approvals, and the satisfaction of other customary conditions.
If everything goes according to plan, the launch of Franklin Crypto will become another sign that the digital assets market continues to institutionalize, while the world’s largest financial firms increasingly integrate crypto strategies into their long-term products and platforms.