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Franklin Templeton has completed its acquisition of crypto asset manager 250 Digital, adding new cryptocurrency investment strategies to its platform as the firm manages $1.78 trillion in assets worldwide.
Summary
- Franklin Templeton has completed its acquisition of 250 Digital and launched a new crypto-focused division called Franklin Crypto.
- The asset manager continues expanding across crypto markets through Bitcoin-linked ETF filings and tokenized fund partnerships.
- RWA.xyz data shows Franklin Templeton’s tokenized assets have grown from $768 million to over $2.5 billion in a year.
According to Franklin Templeton, the deal has resulted in the creation of a new division called Franklin Crypto, which combines the investment team and crypto strategies previously operated by 250 Digital with Franklin Templeton’s existing digital asset capabilities.
Former 250 Digital executives Christopher Perkins and Seth Ginns will lead the unit alongside Franklin Templeton digital assets executive Tony Pecore. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition closes a transaction first announced in April and comes after CoinFund spun out its liquid strategies business into 250 Digital earlier this year as the investment firm concentrated on venture-focused activities.
Franklin Crypto expands institutional investment offerings
Within the newly established division, Franklin Templeton said institutional investors will gain access to actively managed cryptocurrency strategies supported by the former 250 Digital team and the asset manager’s global distribution network.
Alongside the acquisition, Franklin Templeton continues to add crypto-related products across several parts of its business.
Earlier this month, the company integrated its BENJI tokenized money market fund with MoonPay Trade, allowing institutional clients to exchange stablecoins such as USDC and USDT for BENJI through MoonPay’s on-chain trading infrastructure.
Days later, Franklin Templeton filed to launch two exchange-traded funds that would automatically direct stock dividend income into Bitcoin-linked investments, according to previous crypto.news reporting.
Those developments follow several initiatives announced this year. In February, Franklin Templeton unveiled a partnership with Binance that enables institutional investors to use tokenized money market fund shares as collateral for cryptocurrency trading while maintaining regulated custody of the underlying assets.
Soon after, the company partnered with Ondo Finance to make tokenized exchange-traded funds available on blockchain networks, extending access to selected investment products beyond traditional brokerage platforms.
Tokenized asset growth accelerates across the market
Growth in Franklin Templeton’s tokenization business has accompanied its expansion into crypto investing.
According to data from RWA.xyz, the firm’s tokenized assets have increased from roughly $768 million in June 2025 to more than $2.5 billion today, more than tripling over the past year.
Industry-wide figures reported by RWA.xyz show similar momentum. The value of on-chain real-world assets has climbed from approximately $11.8 billion a year ago to $32.2 billion, highlighting continued adoption of tokenized financial products across blockchain networks.
Existing digital asset operations remain an important part of Franklin Templeton’s strategy. Beyond launching investment products, the company maintains a dedicated digital assets unit focused on research, portfolio construction, and institutional risk management.
Operating in more than 35 countries, Franklin Templeton said the addition of 250 Digital strengthens its ability to serve institutional clients seeking cryptocurrency exposure while expanding the range of digital asset products available through its platform.
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