- Franklin Templeton filed two ETFs that reinvest dividends into Bitcoin.
- New funds start with 95% equities and 5% Bitcoin.
- Franklin continues expanding crypto offerings through ETFs and tokenization.
Franklin Templeton has filed for two exchange-traded funds that would reinvest stock dividends into Bitcoin, introducing a structure that combines traditional equity investing with cryptocurrency exposure. The asset manager submitted filings on Thursday for the Franklin US Equity Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF and the Franklin US Innovation Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF, both of which could become effective as early as Sept. 1, 2026.
Under the proposed framework, dividends generated from stock holdings would be directed toward Bitcoin-related investments. According to the filing, the funds may gain exposure through Bitcoin exchange-traded products, futures contracts, options, and other approved instruments. The strategy offers investors a way to build Bitcoin exposure without relying solely on new capital contributions. Instead, dividend income generated by the underlying equities would gradually increase the cryptocurrency allocation over time.
Each index would launch with a 95% allocation to U.S. large-cap equities and a 5% allocation to Bitcoin. Consequently, the products would remain heavily weighted toward traditional stocks while maintaining a dedicated digital asset component.
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New ETF Structure Balances Equity Exposure and Bitcoin Allocation
Franklin Templeton’s filing outlines several safeguards designed to manage Bitcoin exposure within the indexes. During quarterly rebalances, any Bitcoin allocation exceeding 5% would be reduced to 4.5%. Additionally, the strategy includes a maximum Bitcoin exposure limit of 20% between rebalancing periods. These measures are intended to preserve the funds’ equity-focused structure while allowing Bitcoin holdings to appreciate when market conditions are favorable.
As of April 30, the underlying equity benchmark contained approximately 498 securities. Those companies ranged in market capitalization from roughly $7.5 billion to $4.9 trillion, providing broad exposure across major sectors of the U.S. economy. The filing arrives as asset managers continue exploring new ways to integrate digital assets into traditional investment products. Moreover, dividend reinvestment strategies have historically been used to compound returns, making the addition of Bitcoin a notable variation of an established investment approach.
Franklin Expands Its Digital Asset Footprint
The proposed ETFs represent the latest addition to Franklin Templeton’s growing digital asset business. Data from SoSoValue shows the firm’s spot Bitcoin ETF, EZBC, held $358.9 million in net assets as of Thursday. Beyond exchange-traded funds, Franklin Templeton has continued expanding its blockchain-related initiatives. In May, the company partnered with Payward, the parent company of crypto exchange Kraken, to explore opportunities involving the tokenization of traditional financial products.
Additionally, Franklin recently announced plans to integrate its BENJI tokenized money market fund and other tokenized offerings into MoonPay Trade. That integration enables institutional investors to move between stablecoins such as USDC and USDT and Franklin’s tokenized products through on-chain trading infrastructure. The latest filing highlights Franklin Templeton’s continued effort to connect traditional investment strategies with digital asset exposure through regulated financial products.
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