Jenny Johnson, President and CEO of Franklin Templeton, stated she is still on board even though she called Bitcoin the biggest diversion from blockchain, which she referred to as one of the biggest disruptions in the financial services industry.
In the interview on CNBC, Johnson said, “A lot of people took that as I’m not a believer in Bitcoin.” She added, “And yet, launching this ETF, you can see, obviously, the demand that’s out there for Bitcoin, and I think there’s a lot of reasons why that is.”
She cited the growing prevalence of using Bitcoin to make purchases as an example. Johnson stated, “[Blockchain] technology is going to open up a lot of really interesting types of investment opportunities.”
Johnson pointed out that Franklin Templeton developed a tokenized fund on the stellar blockchain, which the investment firm launched in 2021, and he called Bitcoin just one of a suite of investment options. Franklin Templeton announced plans to raise $20 million for a blockchain investment fund in a filing that same year.
Johsan said, “There’s a fear component to it.” She added, “[Bitcoin] is considered almost an insurance or safety component. But I also think it’s really important to be fueling what is the next real opportunity in the blockchain world.”
Johnson added, “It’s really complicated. I did it at one point, and then I was trying to actually figure out how to get back in, and it’s hard.” Accessing it through an ETF or brokerage account is a simpler and more convenient method, which he suggests as a better option, as she said.
Johnson outlined the company’s proficiency in active investing techniques, which come in a variety of formats, such as ETFs and mutual funds. Johnson expressed, “You’re seeing a lot more actively managed ETFs, and that’s a space that we’re very focused on.”
Also Read: Franklin Templeton Leads as Most Affordable Bitcoin ETF in U.S.
