Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson Reveals Personal Crypto Investments
Franklin Templeton’s CEO, Jenny Johnson, has personally invested in cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether. She has also invested in Uniswap and SushiSwap governance tokens. However, Johnson considers these investments to be small compared to her overall portfolio. This is the first time she has publicly disclosed her crypto investments.
Johnson’s Stance on Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
While Johnson is open to crypto investments, she is not a fan of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). She prefers mature investments with clear financial returns and believes that not all NFTs make sense from an investment perspective. However, she acknowledges that there will be successful opportunities in the NFT space.
Johnson’s View on Bitcoin ETF Approval
In September, Franklin Templeton filed for a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). When asked about the approval timeline for a spot bitcoin ETF, Johnson expressed uncertainty but mentioned that regulators are working on determining the best approach. She believes that a spot ETF is a better way to access bitcoin and acknowledges the demand for it.
Franklin Templeton’s Adoption of Blockchain Technology
Franklin Templeton has actively explored and adopted blockchain technology. In 2021, it launched a tokenized money-market fund and crypto-focused separately managed accounts. The company also serves as a blockchain node validator. Johnson emphasizes that Franklin Templeton is a strong believer in the crypto and blockchain space.
The Democratization of Private Markets through Blockchain
According to Johnson, blockchain technology enables the democratization of private markets by reducing frictional costs associated with transactions. This allows for easier securitization or fractionalization of ownership of assets that were previously operationally difficult to consider. Johnson highlights the ability to create and transfer ownership of these assets more efficiently through blockchain technology.
Hot Take: Franklin Templeton CEO Dives into Crypto
Jenny Johnson, the CEO of Franklin Templeton, has revealed her personal investments in cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin and ether. While she is cautious about non-fungible tokens (NFTs), she believes in the potential of blockchain technology to democratize private markets and reduce transactional friction. Johnson also expresses support for a spot bitcoin ETF and acknowledges the demand for it. With her personal investments and Franklin Templeton’s adoption of blockchain, Johnson demonstrates a belief in the future of crypto and its transformative power.