Update
Franklin Templeton Launches Hybrid ETFs for Bitcoin Exposure
Franklin Templeton has launched two hybrid ETFs, the Franklin US Equity Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF (FBEQ) and the Franklin US Innovation Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF (FIBT), through which retail investors can gain exposure to Bitcoin without directly purchasing the cryptocurrency. These ETFs use a dividend reinvestment (DRIP) model, where the funds automatically invest incoming cash from traditional stocks into Bitcoin, eliminating the need for investors to manage their own crypto holdings. The ETFs are listed on Nasdaq and have low fees, with FBEQ having a record-low annual fee of 0.09% and FIBT at 0.19%. The launch aims to attract conservative capital and retirement account holders by isolating investors from crypto market infrastructure risks such as private keys and exchanges.