Franklin Templeton has acquired 250 Digital, a crypto investment firm spun out from CoinFund Management, for an undisclosed sum. The deal will create a new unit called Franklin Crypto.
Franklin Templeton Acquires CoinFund Spinoff to Launch Franklin Crypto
1 April 2026 - 20:50 CEST
By Ana Pereira
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to definitive agreements, client consents and other customary conditions.
New leadership
Christopher Perkins, former president of CoinFund, will lead Franklin Crypto. Seth Ginns, previously CoinFund’s managing partner, will serve as chief investment officer. They will work alongside Tony Pecore, a veteran of Franklin Templeton’s digital assets team.
250 Digital managed approximately $1.8bn in assets as of 31 Dec 2025. Franklin Templeton oversees more than $1.7tn in total assets under management.
Onchain deal settlement
A notable feature of the deal is the use of BENJI tokens as part of the payment consideration. BENJI is the token of the Franklin OnChain US Government Money Fund, one of the first US-registered mutual funds to use blockchain for transaction settlement and share ownership.
"Crypto's institutional moment has arrived, and Franklin Crypto will help our global clients navigate this complex and rapidly evolving asset class," Perkins said.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the deal earlier today.
