Franklin Templeton debuts new crypto division following 250 Digital acquisition

Franklin Templeton is launching a new crypto division — Franklin Crypto.

The news comes as the investment giant announced that it has acquired 250 Digital, a crypto investment management firm spun out of CoinFund. The companies didn’t disclose how much Franklin Templeton acquired 250 Digital for.

“Crypto’s institutional moment has arrived, and Franklin Crypto will help our global clients navigate this complex and rapidly evolving asset class by delivering the expertise, knowledge and digital asset products that meet their sophisticated investment needs,” Christopher Perkins, who will head the new division, said in a statement shared with DL News.

News of the deal comes as traditional financial firms have been on a shopping spree of late. In March, Mastercard acquired stablecoin infrastructure startup BVNK for $1.8 billion, and institutional lender FundBank bought Irish blockchain startup Trrue Chain for $11 million. Similarly, Stripe, the $159 billion fintech, has bought businesses like stablecoin venture Bridge.

Experts expect traditional financial firms buying blockchain businesses will drive the value of crypto mergers and acquisition deals to crest the $37 billion value achieved in 2025.

Franklin Crypto

Franklin Crypto will expand Franklin Templeton’s existing suite of crypto and blockchain VC investment offerings, the firm said.

It also aims to broaden the firm’s digital assets investment management platform. Franklin Templeton Digital Assets manages approximately $1.8 billion in global assets as of December 31.

The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of the year.

Franklin Templeton has made no secret about its crypto ambitions.

In December, Robert Crossley, global head of industry advisory services at Franklin Templeton, told DL News that the investment firm saw growing interest from institutional investors.

“We are seeing growing interest from more established investors who are thinking about diversification and long-term outcomes,” Crossley said. “Younger investors are drawn to crypto because it matches how they already interact with technology and money.”

“The gap between these groups is narrowing as digital assets become part of mainstream financial planning,” Crossley said.

Eric Johansson is DL News’ managing editor. Got a tip? Email him at eric@dlnews.com.