Franklin Templeton Launches Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET)

Rhea-AI Summary

Franklin Templeton has launched the Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET) on the Cboe BZX Exchange, offering U.S. investors exposure to ether within a regulated ETF structure. EZET is priced at 0.19%, with fees fully waived to 0.00% until January 31, 2025, for the first $10 billion in fund assets. This spot ether ETF aims to reflect the performance of ether's price, less operational expenses.

The launch follows the success of Franklin Templeton's spot bitcoin ETF (EZBC) in January. The firm has been active in the digital asset space since 2018, developing blockchain-based solutions and investment strategies. Franklin Templeton's U.S. ETF platform, established in 2016, now offers over 100 ETFs globally with combined AUM exceeding $20 billion as of June 30, 2024.

Positive

• Launch of Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET) expands digital asset offerings
• Competitive pricing at 0.19% with fees waived to 0.00% until January 31, 2025, for first $10 billion in assets
• Franklin Templeton's ETF platform has over $20 billion in AUM across 100+ ETFs globally

Negative

• None.

Financial Analyst

The launch of the Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET) is significant for investors looking to gain exposure to digital assets within a regulated framework. The ETF offers a unique opportunity to invest in ether (ETH) without needing to directly purchase and store the cryptocurrency. This development is important as it simplifies access to ETH, potentially attracting a broader range of investors, including those who are wary of the technical aspects and risks of holding digital coins directly.

Moreover, the decision to waive fees until January 31, 2025, is a strategic move to rapidly attract a substantial amount of assets under management (AUM). By eliminating fees for the first $10 billion in fund assets, Franklin Templeton is positioning EZET as a highly attractive option compared to other digital asset investment products that may carry higher costs. This aggressive pricing strategy is likely to boost initial investor interest and could lead to significant early inflows, enhancing the ETF's liquidity and market appeal.

Given the rising institutional interest in digital assets and the growing acceptance of blockchain technology, EZET's launch is timely. It aligns with the broader market trend of increasing institutional participation in the cryptocurrency space. Retail investors can also benefit from the reduced volatility and enhanced regulatory oversight that comes with investing through an ETF, compared to direct cryptocurrency investments.

Tech Expert

The introduction of the Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET) underscores the growing significance of blockchain technology and its mainstream adoption. Ethereum, the underlying asset of the ETF, is particularly notable for its role in enabling smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). These innovations have been pivotal in the evolution of Web3 and continue to drive significant interest in the technology sector.

From a technological standpoint, Ethereum's robust and versatile blockchain infrastructure makes it an attractive investment. The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) facilitates the execution of decentralized smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the agreement terms directly written into code. This functionality has been instrumental in the proliferation of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other blockchain-based innovations.

Investors in EZET are essentially betting on the continued growth and adoption of Ethereum's technology. As more developers build on Ethereum and as the network continues to upgrade and scale (e.g., Ethereum 2.0), the underlying value of ether is likely to appreciate. However, investors should be aware of the inherent risks associated with technology investments, including potential regulatory changes and the competitive landscape of blockchain platforms.

Market Research Analyst

The launch of the Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET) represents a strategic expansion in the digital asset investment landscape. Franklin Templeton's move to introduce this ETF following their successful spot bitcoin ETF (EZBC) highlights the firm's commitment to diversifying its digital asset offerings. This trend is reflective of the broader market's increasing acceptance and integration of cryptocurrencies into traditional financial products.

The ETF's accessibility on the Cboe BZX Exchange and the competitive pricing at 0.19% management fees, fully waived until January 2025, positions it as a highly attractive product. This fee structure is likely to draw significant interest from both retail and institutional investors looking for cost-effective entry points into the cryptocurrency market. The waiver period provides a window of opportunity for substantial AUM growth, potentially establishing EZET as a leading digital asset ETF by the time fees are reinstated.

In the long term, the success of EZET could catalyze further innovation and product development within the ETF space, encouraging other financial institutions to explore similar offerings. This could lead to increased market competition, potentially driving down costs and enhancing product features, ultimately benefiting investors. However, it's essential to monitor market dynamics and regulatory developments, as these factors could significantly impact the performance and attractiveness of digital asset ETFs.

EZET allows investors to gain exposure to ether within a regulated exchange-traded fund structure

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Franklin Templeton today launched its second digital asset-backed exchange-traded fund (ETF), the Franklin Ethereum ETF, under the ticker EZET. It is offered on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. and priced at 0.19%, or 19 basis points. Franklin Templeton has agreed to fully waive fees to 0.00% until January 31, 2025, for the first $10.0 billion in fund assets. The fund is a spot ether (ETH) ETF available for U.S. investors and seeks to reflect the performance of the price of ether, less the expense of fund operations. EZET is the latest offering on the growing Franklin Templeton Digital Assets and ETF platforms.

“After the success of our spot bitcoin ETF (EZBC) launch in January, we are proud to add EZET to our growing lineup of digital asset ETFs,” said Patrick O’Connor, Head of Global ETFs for Franklin Templeton. “With EZET, we are thrilled to offer our clients additional access to the digital asset ecosystem within a regulated fund structure that integrates seamlessly into traditional portfolios.”

Since 2018, Franklin Templeton Digital Assets has been building blockchain-based technology solutions, running node validators, and developing a wide range of investment strategies. The firm’s dedicated digital assets research team leverages fundamental “tokenomic” analysis, insights from an embedded data science team and deep industry connections to help inform product development and investment decisions.

“We have been active participants and builders in the digital asset ecosystem since 2018 and have seen the transformative power of blockchain technology firsthand,” said Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton. “Ethereum has been at the forefront of Web3 innovation with things like smart contracts and the Ethereum Virtual Machine and we're excited to bring that technology revolution to our clients.”

Established in 2016, Franklin Templeton’s U.S. ETF platform provides solutions for a range of market conditions and investment objectives through active, smart beta and passively managed ETFs. Franklin Templeton offers over 100 ETFs globally with combined assets under management (AUM) of over $20 billion as of June 30, 2024.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and over $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2024. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

The Fund has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the Fund has filed with the SEC, when available, for more complete information about the Fund and this offering. You may obtain these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at sec.gov or by visiting franklintempleton.com.

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Before you invest, for more complete information about the Fund and this offering, you should carefully read the Fund's prospectus.

The Fund is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act), and therefore is not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds or ETFs registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund is not a commodity pool for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and accordingly is not subject to the regulatory protections afforded by the CEA.

The Fund holds only ether and cash and is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is not a diversified investment and, therefore, is expected to be more volatile than other investments, such as an investment in a more broadly diversified portfolio. An investment in the Fund is not intended as a complete investment plan.

An investment in the Fund is subject to market risk with respect to the digital asset markets. The trading price of the ether held by the Fund may go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The value of the Fund’s Shares relates directly to the value of ether, which has been in the past, and may continue to be, highly volatile and subject to fluctuations due to a number of factors. Extreme volatility in the future, including substantial, sustained or rapid declines in the trading prices of ether, could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Shares and the Shares could lose all or substantially all of their value.

Competitive pressures may negatively affect the ability of the Fund to garner substantial assets and achieve commercial success.

Digital assets represent a new and rapidly evolving industry, and the value of the Fund’s Shares depends on the acceptance of ether. Due to the relative unregulated nature and lack of transparency surrounding the operations of digital asset exchanges, which may experience fraud, manipulation, security failures or operational problems, as well as the wider ether market, the value of ether and, consequently, the value of the Shares may be adversely affected, causing losses to Shareholders.

Digital asset markets in the U.S. exist in a state of regulatory uncertainty, and adverse legislative or regulatory developments could significantly harm the value of ether or the Shares, such as by banning, restricting or imposing onerous conditions or prohibitions on the use of ether, validation activity, digital wallets, the provision of services related to trading and custodying ether, the operation of the Ethereum network, or the digital asset markets generally.

The Index price used to calculate the value of the Fund’s ether has a limited performance history and may be volatile, adversely affecting the value of the Shares. Moreover, the Index Administrator could experience system failures or errors. Errors in the Index data, computations and/or construction may occur from time to time and may not be identified and/or corrected for a period of time or at all, which may have an adverse impact on the Fund and the Shareholders.

A temporary or permanent “fork” in the Ethereum blockchain could adversely affect the value of the Shares. The Fund does not have the ability or intention to hold any asset (including any crypto asset) other than ether and cash. Shareholders may not receive the benefits of any forks or “airdrops.” Forks or airdrops may result in extraordinary expenses borne by the Fund.

The Fund is a passive investment vehicle and is not actively managed, meaning it does not manage its portfolio to sell ether at times when its price is high, or acquire ether at low prices in the expectation of future price increases. Also, the Fund does not use any hedging techniques to attempt to reduce the risks of losses resulting from ether price decreases. The Fund is not a leveraged product and does not utilize leverage, derivatives or similar instruments or transactions. The Fund's Shares are not interests or obligations of the Fund's Sponsor or its affiliates, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

The amount of ether represented by each Share will decrease over the life of the Fund due to the sales of ether necessary to pay the Sponsor’s Fee and other Fund expenses. Without increases in the price of ether sufficient to compensate for that decrease, the price of the Shares will also decline and you will lose money on your investment in Shares.

Security threats to the Fund’s account at the Ether Custodian or Prime Broker could result in the halting of Fund operations and a loss of Fund assets or damage to the reputation of the Fund, each of which could result in a reduction in the value of the Shares.

The Fund will not stake the ether it holds, so an investment in the Fund’s shares will not realize the economic benefits of staking.

If the process of creation and redemption of Creation Units encounters any unanticipated difficulties, the possibility for arbitrage transactions by Authorized Participants intended to keep the price of the Shares closely linked to the price of ether may not exist and, as a result, the price of the Shares may fall or otherwise diverge from NAV.

Franklin Distributors, LLC. Member FINRA, SIPC. Marketing agent for the Franklin Ethereum ETF.

NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE.

Copyright © 2024. Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240723311571/en/

Franklin Templeton Corporate Communications:

Travis Fishstein, (917) 822-1857, travis.fishstein@franklintempleton.com

Source: Franklin Templeton

FAQ

What is the ticker symbol for Franklin Templeton's new Ethereum ETF?

The ticker symbol for Franklin Templeton's new Ethereum ETF is EZET.

What is the expense ratio for Franklin Templeton's Ethereum ETF (EZET)?

The expense ratio for EZET is 0.19% (19 basis points), with fees waived to 0.00% until January 31, 2025, for the first $10 billion in fund assets.

When did Franklin Templeton launch its Ethereum ETF (EZET)?

Franklin Templeton launched its Ethereum ETF (EZET) on the date of the press release, which is not explicitly stated but is referred to as 'today'.

On which exchange is Franklin Templeton's Ethereum ETF (EZET) listed?

Franklin Templeton's Ethereum ETF (EZET) is listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.