Franklin Templeton Files for Two Bitcoin-Linked ETFs with Possible September Launch

Franklin Templeton has submitted applications to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for two novel exchange-traded funds that convert dividend payments from equities directly into bitcoin holdings.

The proposed funds, Franklin US Equity Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF and Franklin US Innovation Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF, each maintain 95% of assets in U.S. large-capitalization stocks and 5% in bitcoin. Instead of distributing dividends to shareholders as cash payments, these proceeds are automatically deployed to acquire bitcoin exposure.

The underlying equity index for the first product contains approximately 498 securities, ranging from $7.5 billion to $4.9 trillion in market capitalization. The second product concentrates on growth-oriented and innovative companies using a corresponding index variation.

Should the SEC grant approval, trading could commence as soon as September 1, 2026. However, regulatory clearance remains uncertain.