Franklin Templeton has finalized its purchase of 250 Digital, an active cryptocurrency investment management firm. The deal, closed on June 22, 2026, brings together the full 250 Digital team and its portfolio of liquid cryptocurrency strategies that were previously managed under CoinFund. As part of the transaction, Franklin Templeton will also allocate capital directly into these strategies.
This acquisition underscores the firm’s sustained focus on expanding its capabilities in the digital asset sector.
Franklin Templeton sees these technologies as central to the evolution of institutional investing and is investing in the infrastructure needed to support that shift.
With the transaction now complete, the company has formally created Franklin Crypto, a specialized unit dedicated to actively managed digital asset strategies aimed at institutional clients.
Christopher Perkins has been named head of the new division, with Seth Ginns serving as chief investment officer.
They will collaborate with Tony Pecore, a long-standing member of Franklin Templeton’s digital assets team. The unit will operate under the oversight of Sandy Kaul, the firm’s head of innovation.
Franklin Crypto combines the specialized investment approach developed by the former 250 Digital team with Franklin Templeton’s extensive global client network and distribution platform.
The goal is to deliver actively managed cryptocurrency solutions tailored to the needs of large institutional investors seeking exposure to this asset class.
The new division builds directly on Franklin Templeton’s existing digital asset infrastructure.
The firm already maintains a dedicated group responsible for in-depth fundamental research, portfolio construction, and institutional-level risk management across digital assets.
This move reflects Franklin Templeton’s broader strategy of integrating innovative technologies into its investment offerings while maintaining its core strengths in portfolio management and client service.
By adding crypto-native expertise and liquid strategies, the firm aims to provide a more comprehensive suite of options for institutions navigating the evolving digital asset landscape.
Franklin Templeton, founded in 1947, manages approximately $1.78 trillion in assets under management as of May 31, 2026.
The company operates in more than 35 countries and continues to emphasize innovation alongside its established expertise in public and private markets.
The completion of the 250 Digital acquisition positions Franklin Templeton to better serve institutional allocators interested in actively managed cryptocurrency exposure.
It also signals growing convergence between traditional asset management and the digital asset ecosystem, as established firms enhance their offerings with specialized teams and strategies.
Industry professionals have pointed out that such integrations help bridge the gap between crypto-native knowledge and the operational scale, compliance frameworks, and global reach that large institutions require.
Franklin Templeton’s approach of investing alongside clients in the acquired strategies further aligns its interests with those of its institutional partners.
The transaction marks a deliberate step forward in the firm’s digital asset journey, combining acquired talent and strategies with its longstanding commitment to technological advancement and client-focused solutions.
As digital assets continue to mature as an institutional asset class, Franklin Templeton’s expanded capabilities through Franklin Crypto are expected to play a meaningful role in meeting demand for sophisticated, actively managed products in this space.
