Franklin Templeton Finalizes 250 Digital Deal, Expands Crypto Push
Franklin Templeton, the $1.78 trillion asset management giant, has finalized its acquisition of crypto-focused investment firm 250 Digital and launched a new division, Franklin Crypto. The move further cements Franklin Templeton's position in the rapidly growing digital asset space, which includes tokenized funds, blockchain-based ETFs, and cryptocurrency investment strategies.
The deal, first announced in April, integrates 250 Digital’s team and expertise into Franklin Crypto, which will focus on actively managed crypto strategies for institutional clients. The division is led by Christopher Perkins and Seth Ginns, both former 250 Digital executives, alongside Franklin Templeton’s digital assets leader Tony Pecore.
While the financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, this marks another major step in Franklin Templeton’s ongoing digital asset expansion. The firm has steadily built its capabilities in this sector since 2018, becoming the first traditional asset manager to tokenize a U.S. mutual fund in 2021. Its Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX) recently surpassed $1 billion in assets under management.
Strategic Moves in Tokenization and Crypto
Franklin Templeton’s digital asset ambitions extend beyond this acquisition. Earlier this year, the company partnered with Binance to allow institutional investors to use tokenized money market fund shares as collateral for crypto trading. It also teamed up with Ondo Finance in March to tokenize its ETFs, enabling 24/7 blockchain-based trading through networks like Solana.
The firm continues to innovate in hybrid strategies, recently proposing Bitcoin-linked ETFs that reinvest stock dividends into BTC exposure. This diversification underscores its commitment to bridging traditional finance and blockchain technologies.
Rapid Growth in Tokenized Assets
Franklin Templeton’s tokenized assets have surged over the past year, growing from $768 million in June 2025 to over $2.5 billion as of June 2026, according to RWA.xyz data. The broader tokenized asset market has experienced similar growth, with total on-chain real-world asset (RWA) value rising from $11.8 billion to $32.2 billion in the same period.
This growth highlights the increasing institutional adoption of blockchain for financial products, a trend Franklin Templeton appears well-positioned to capitalize on. By leveraging its global distribution network across 35+ countries, the firm aims to make digital assets and tokenized products accessible to a broader range of institutional investors.
Why It Matters
Franklin Templeton’s decisive expansion into crypto and tokenized finance could accelerate the institutionalization of digital assets. With its expertise, scale, and partnerships, the firm is setting a precedent for how traditional asset managers can integrate blockchain into their portfolios.
As the market for tokenized assets and crypto strategies grows, Franklin Crypto’s success will be closely watched. For traders, the firm’s developments in Bitcoin-linked ETFs and tokenized products represent a potential shift in how digital and traditional assets interact.