Global asset management giant Franklin Templeton has filed for two exchange traded funds that will automatically divert stock dividends into Bitcoin—an unexpected move signaling deeper integration of digital assets with traditional finance. If approved, the new ETFs could launch as early as September 1, 2026, according to the application documents.
How the new ETFs are structured
The proposed funds are named Franklin US Equity Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF and Franklin US Innovation Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF. Traditionally, “DRIP” stands for Dividend Reinvestment Plan, where investors reinvest dividends back into shares. This time, however, dividends will be funneled not into more company shares, but directly into accumulating Bitcoin positions.
According to the application, rather than automatically reinvesting dividends into securities, the funds will systematically transfer dividends into instruments linked to Bitcoin.
Both ETFs will track indices—the VettaFi US Large Cap 500 Bitcoin DRIP Index and a parallel innovation index—providing indirect Bitcoin exposure via exchange-traded products tied to cryptocurrency, futures, options, and related vehicles. This approach lets investors add crypto exposure without leaving the traditional ETF format.
Mini glossary: DRIP means reinvesting dividends automatically instead of taking cash payouts. ETP is a broad term for exchange-traded products that track the price of an underlying asset.
Initially, the funds will allocate 95 percent of assets to US large cap equities and 5 percent to Bitcoin exposure. If, during quarterly rebalancings, the Bitcoin allocation rises above 5 percent, it will be reduced to 4.5 percent. Between those dates, a 20 percent Bitcoin cap will be strictly observed, preventing overexposure to crypto even in rapidly rising markets.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial allocation | 95 percent US equities, 5 percent Bitcoin |
| Quarterly balancing | Bitcoin above 5 percent reset to 4.5 percent |
| Interim period cap | 20 percent maximum Bitcoin |
| Possible launch date | September 1, 2026 |
A diversified equity basket at the core
As of April 30, the underlying stock index comprised roughly 498 companies with market capitalizations ranging from 7.5 billion dollars to 4.9 trillion dollars. With such a broad base, the ETFs are designed to give investors a diversified exposure to US equities while building a gradual Bitcoin position through redirected dividends.
A bold step in Franklin Templeton’s crypto journey
This application marks a significant step in Franklin Templeton’s growing crypto asset strategy. The firm is a leading global asset manager and has been advancing into the digital asset sphere. Notably, Franklin Templeton’s spot Bitcoin ETF, EZBC, has already reached 358.9 million dollars in net assets and has attracted 329.6 million dollars in inflows.
The latest application is widely seen as further proof of Franklin Templeton’s drive to unify traditional investment instruments with digital asset solutions under one banner.
Earlier in May, Franklin Templeton teamed up with Payward, the parent company of the Kraken exchange, to explore new ways of tokenizing traditional investment products. Earlier this month, it was announced that their tokenized money market fund BENJI and several other offerings would be integrated into MoonPay Trade’s platform. This integration enables institutional clients to seamlessly convert USDC and USDT stablecoins into Franklin Templeton’s tokenized funds via MoonPay, removing operational obstacles for digital asset adoption.
