Franklin Templeton, one of the largest asset managers globally, is considering launching a Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe.
The move would make Franklin Templeton the latest traditional asset manager to expand into the digital assets market in response to growing institutional interest.
While the firm has not announced any immediate plans, it is actively monitoring the evolving regulatory environment in Europe and elsewhere to align with client demand for crypto investment products.
Franklin’s Presence in US
The company, with $1.5 trillion in assets under management (AUM), already has an established presence in the crypto sector in the U.S. Its crypto-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF) portfolio, valued at $811 million, includes the Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC).
The EZBC is the firm’s largest product, currently holding $415 million in assets. With this experience in the U.S. market, Franklin Templeton is well-positioned to consider expanding into Europe, where institutional demand for crypto products continues to grow.
Despite the growing interest, the firm emphasizes that any crypto ETP offering in Europe is not imminent. A spokesperson from Franklin Templeton explained that the company is taking a cautious approach and closely monitoring regulatory developments in the region.
This measured stance reflects the firm’s ongoing exploration of new investment products across various asset classes.
Europe’s Expanding Crypto ETP Market
Franklin Templeton’s move comes shortly after BlackRock launched its own crypto ETP in Europe. BlackRock’s entry with the iShares Bitcoin ETP (IB1T) marks a significant expansion into the European digital assets market.
This product, domiciled in Switzerland, offers a Bitcoin strategy backed by actual BTC held in cold storage through Coinbase. The iShares Bitcoin ETP started trading on major European exchanges, including Deutsche Boerse, Euronext Paris, and Euronext Amsterdam.
In December 2024, Bitwise launched a Solana staking ETP in Europe. The product, BSOL, exposes investors to Solana while providing staking rewards through a partnership with Marinade, a Solana staking service provider.
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