Franklin Templeton Launches Crypto ETF With Bitcoin And Ether

According to Cointelegraph, Franklin Templeton has introduced an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that includes both spot Bitcoin and Ether, as announced on February 20, 2025. The Franklin Crypto Index ETF, known by its ticker EZPZ, is the second cryptocurrency index ETF to enter the market, following the launch of Hashdex's Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF (NCIQ) on February 14. The EZPZ fund is based on the US CF Institutional Digital Asset Index, which currently tracks only Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH). As of February 20, the index is weighted with approximately 87% Bitcoin and 13% Ether, according to CF Benchmarks. Franklin Templeton has expressed intentions for the EZPZ fund to eventually include additional cryptocurrencies as they are incorporated into the index, aiming to provide a comprehensive crypto portfolio for U.S. investors. The fund offers exposure to Bitcoin and Ether without the need for direct purchase, as stated by Franklin Templeton in a post on the X platform. The company also mentioned plans to add new digital assets to the fund as they become eligible for inclusion in the underlying index, subject to regulatory approvals. Similarly, Hashdex's NCIQ currently holds only BTC and ETH but plans to expand its offerings in the future. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved both Hashdex's NCIQ and Franklin Templeton's EZPZ on December 19, 2024. The NCIQ trades on the Nasdaq stock exchange, while the EZPZ is listed on Cboe BZX. This regulatory approval comes as U.S. regulators appear to be easing their stance on cryptocurrency oversight. This shift follows the election of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pledged to transform the United States into a leading hub for cryptocurrency. In 2024, asset managers submitted numerous regulatory filings to list ETFs that include altcoins such as Solana (SOL), XRP (XRP), and Litecoin (LTC). In October, NYSE Arca, a securities exchange, requested permission from U.S. regulators to list a Grayscale ETF that would hold a diverse basket of spot cryptocurrencies. The Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund, established in 2018 but not yet exchange-traded, includes a portfolio of cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, SOL, and XRP. Bloomberg Intelligence predicts a high likelihood of approval for new crypto ETF filings across the board.