Franklin Templeton to Buy 250 Digital, Set to Launch Franklin Crypto Division
Franklin Templeton has agreed to acquire 250 Digital, a crypto investment firm spun out of CoinFund, deepening the asset manager's push into institutional digital assets.
The transaction includes 250 Digital's full team and its cryptocurrency investment strategies. Franklin Templeton said it will fold the capabilities into a new unit, "Franklin Crypto," aimed primarily at institutional clients such as pension funds and sovereign wealth funds with structured crypto investment offerings.
The deal is expected to close in Q2 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, client consents, and final definitive agreements. Financial terms were not disclosed. Franklin Templeton said its BENJI tokenized fund will be used as part of the consideration, and it will also commit capital to the acquired strategies.
Leadership of Franklin Crypto will be shared by Christopher Perkins and Seth Ginns, both previously at CoinFund, alongside Franklin Templeton executive Tony Pecore. The three will report to Sandy Kaul, the firm's Head of Innovation. 250 Digital was launched in January 2026 as a CoinFund spinout.
In remarks to The Wall Street Journal, Kaul pointed to the recent crypto market downturn as a factor behind the timing, citing periods of weakness as potential entry points for institutions and highlighting demand for stable, well-structured platforms for experienced crypto professionals.
The acquisition extends Franklin Templeton's multi-year buildout in digital assets. The firm entered the space in 2018 and says it now has around 50 professionals focused on the sector. It launched the BENJI tokenized money market fund in 2021 and was among early participants in U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in 2024.
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