Franklin Templeton Launches Franklin Crypto Following Acquisition of 250 Digital

One of the world's largest asset managers is making its strongest commitment to digital assets yet.

Franklin Templeton has completed its acquisition of crypto investment firm 250 Digital and officially launched Franklin Crypto, a dedicated division focused on actively managed digital asset strategies for institutional investors.

The move brings together crypto-native investment expertise and Franklin Templeton's global distribution network, creating a platform designed to serve growing institutional demand for digital asset exposure.

With $1.78 trillion in assets under management and operations spanning more than 35 countries, Franklin Templeton is now positioning itself to compete more aggressively in the rapidly evolving digital asset management market.

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Crypto Veterans Join a Wall Street Giant

As part of the acquisition, Franklin Templeton is bringing the entire 250 Digital investment team in-house, including its liquid cryptocurrency strategies previously managed at CoinFund.

Industry veterans Christopher Perkins and Seth Ginns will lead the new division alongside Franklin Templeton Digital Assets executive Tony Pecore.

Perkins will serve as Head of Franklin Crypto, while Ginns takes on the role of Chief Investment Officer. The team will report to Sandy Kaul, Franklin Templeton's Head of Innovation.

The firm also confirmed it will invest its own capital into the acquired strategies, signaling confidence in the team's investment approach.

Institutional Crypto Continues to Mature

The launch comes as institutional interest in digital assets continues expanding beyond Bitcoin ETFs and passive investment products.

Large asset managers are increasingly looking to offer actively managed crypto strategies, digital asset research, portfolio construction services, and risk management solutions tailored to institutional investors.

Franklin Crypto will combine the investment expertise of the former 250 Digital team with Franklin Templeton's existing digital asset capabilities, which already include dedicated research, portfolio management, and institutional oversight functions.

The strategy reflects a broader shift across traditional finance as major firms move from simply offering crypto access to building full-service digital asset businesses.

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A Growing Battle for Institutional Capital

The acquisition highlights how competition among traditional asset managers is intensifying as digital assets become a permanent part of institutional portfolios.

Over the past two years, firms including BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and others have expanded their crypto offerings through ETFs, tokenized funds, digital asset research teams, and blockchain-based investment products.

Rather than building entirely from scratch, Franklin Templeton is accelerating its efforts by acquiring proven crypto-native talent with experience managing institutional digital asset strategies.

The combination could prove powerful. While many crypto-native firms possess deep market expertise, few have access to Franklin Templeton's global client base, regulatory infrastructure, and distribution network.

The Next Phase of Digital Asset Management

For years, institutional adoption of crypto was largely driven by access products.

Today, the conversation is increasingly shifting toward active management, portfolio construction, tokenized assets, and specialized investment strategies.

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The creation of Franklin Crypto signals that major asset managers see digital assets not as a separate niche, but as a growing segment of the broader investment landscape.

With the acquisition complete, Franklin Templeton is betting that the next wave of institutional capital entering crypto will demand more than simple exposure—it will require dedicated managers, sophisticated strategies, and institutional-grade infrastructure.