Franklin Templeton said today it plans to acquire 250 Digital, a crypto investment firm formed of CoinFund, to expand its digital asset platform. The deal brings Christopher Perkins and Seth Ginns into the firm to lead a new institutional crypto unit. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, pending approvals and agreements.
Franklin Templeton Builds Dedicated Crypto Unit
As per today’s disclosure, Franklin Templeton will integrate 250 Digital’s team and its liquid crypto strategies into a newly formed division called Franklin Crypto. Perkins will lead the unit, while Ginns will serve as Chief Investment Officer. Tony Pecore will also join leadership, working alongside the incoming executives.
The new division will report to Sandy Kaul, head of innovation. It will expand the firm’s crypto and blockchain venture capabilities. Additionally, it will strengthen its digital asset investment management platform for institutional clients.
Franklin Templeton Digital Assets managed about $1.8 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025. The firm also maintains a digital assets team of more than 50 professionals. This structure supports both investment and technical development across blockchain systems.
Deal Structure and On-chain Payment
The acquisition includes Franklin Templeton investing directly into the strategies previously managed by CoinFund. As CoinGape reported, Franklin Templeton is betting big on XRP. The terms of the recent deal were not disclosed. However, the transaction introduces an on-chain payment component using BENJI tokens.
BENJI represents the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX), launched in 2021. The fund uses blockchain technology to process transactions and record share ownership. It stands as the first U.S.-registered mutual fund with this structure.
The use of BENJI tokens in Franklin Templeton’s acquisition is a change in how transactions can be executed. It connects traditional finance dealmaking with blockchain-based settlement systems. This structure aligns with the firm’s ongoing work in tokenized assets.
Institutional Focus and Market Conditions
The new Franklin Crypto unit will target pensions, sovereign wealth funds, and large institutions. It will offer exposure to digital assets through regulated investment structures. Strategies will include liquid tokens, venture investments, and blockchain-linked products.
Institutional demand for crypto exposure continues despite market declines with the BTC price dropping nearly half from the record high. Meanwhile, total digital asset market value has contracted.
However, large asset managers continue to expand product offerings and infrastructure. Franklin Templeton partnered with Binance to enable tokenized fund shares as trading collateral.
Additionally, Franklin Templeton announced last week they partnered with Ondo Finance to support tokenized ETFs accessible through crypto wallets. These developments connect traditional financial products with blockchain systems.
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