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Franklin Templeton launches crypto division with 250 Digital acquisition

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Franklin Templeton launches crypto division with 250 Digital acquisition

Wall Street asset management giant Franklin Templeton is launching a dedicated cryptocurrency division as it deepens its push into digital assets, anchored by a planned acquisition of crypto investment firm 250 Digital.

The new unit, called Franklin Crypto, will bring together the 250 Digital team and its liquid crypto strategies — previously managed by CoinFund — under one structure aimed at institutional investors, the firm said Wednesday.

Former CoinFund executive Christopher Perkins will lead the division, with Seth Ginns serving as chief investment officer alongside Franklin Templeton digital assets executive Tony Pecore. The group will report to Sandy Kaul, the firm’s head of innovation.

The move builds on Franklin Templeton’s existing digital asset business, which manages about $1.8 billion, and signals a shift toward offering more active crypto investment strategies alongside its current products.

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“This is an exciting addition for Franklin Templeton,” CEO Jenny Johnson said, adding that the deal strengthens the firm’s ability to deliver dedicated crypto expertise to clients globally.

The launch of Franklin Crypto reflects a broader trend among large asset managers that are moving beyond passive exposure, such as exchange-traded funds, toward building in-house capabilities.

Perkins said the effort is aimed at meeting that demand. “Crypto’s institutional moment has arrived,” he said, pointing to growing interest from large investors seeking structured exposure to digital assets.

The transaction also includes an experimental element: part of the consideration will be paid using BENJI tokens, linked to Franklin Templeton’s on-chain U.S. Government Money Fund. The fund uses blockchain infrastructure to process transactions and record ownership.

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That approach suggests early steps toward conducting mergers and acquisitions using tokenized assets, with settlement occurring more directly on blockchain rails.

The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to approvals and other conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

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Hyperliquid price forms a bullish flag as golden cross looms, will it breakout?

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Hyperliquid price has formed a bullish flag pattern on the daily chart.

Hyperliquid price is close to confirming multiple bullish patterns as futures traders show increased interest in the token.

Summary

  • Hyperliquid price has risen up 22% over the past month, supported by rising open interest and increased futures market activity.
  • Growth in commodity perpetuals and event-based contracts, alongside rising trading volumes, has boosted token demand through increased burn mechanisms.
  • Technical setup shows a bullish flag and a potential golden cross, with upside targets near $44, while a drop below $34.8 could invalidate the bullish outlook.

According to data from crypto.news, Hyperliquid (HYPE) price was trading at $36.9, up 22% over the past month and 78% higher than its year-to-date low.

Hyperliquid price rallied as it witnessed a massive surge in real-world asset trading volumes.

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Notably, following the implementation of HIP-3, which expanded the protocol capabilities, investors can now trade decentralized perpetual contracts on commodities like gold, silver, and crude oil.

Amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, a massive jump in volume was observed in Hyperliquid’s 24/7 crude oil perpetuals, which topped $1 billion in a single day in March.

Unlike traditional markets, Hyperliquid provides round-the-clock access to its commodity markets, making it a pressure valve for macro traders amidst geopolitical events that often unfold over the weekend.

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Furthermore, the project’s expansion into prediction markets from its introduction of event-based contracts has added another layer of utility and attracted fresh participants who can now trade on the outcome of real-world events natively alongside their futures positions.

In the last 24 hours, open interest on Hyperliquid hit over $1.61 billion. A surge in open interest suggests more active participation from traders and is a sign that the current trend has significant backing.

The HYPE token has also benefited from increased trading volumes. Trading volumes on the platform have hit a record high of over $2.4 billion.

As Hyperliquid’s Assistance Fund uses up to 97% of protocol fees to buy back and burn HYPE tokens, the latest surge has significantly increased the burn rate of tokens and hence has helped drive the asset price higher through deflationary pressure.

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On the daily chart, Hyperliquid price has formed a bullish flag pattern after a steep vertical move known as a pole, followed by a brief period of consolidation. A bullish flag is one of the most well-known bullish continuation patterns in technical analysis.

Hyperliquid price has formed a bullish flag pattern on the daily chart.
Hyperliquid price has formed a bullish flag pattern on the daily chart — April 1 | Source: crypto.news

It is also close to confirming a golden cross, which occurs when the 50-day SMA crosses over the 200-day SMA. Traders view such pattern confirmations as a major signal of long-term trend reversal and sustained buying momentum.

Hence, if a golden cross is confirmed, Hyperliquid price would likely confirm the bullish flag pattern, which would propel it toward the upside of $44, the highest point of the flag formation. A breakout above it could set the stage for a push toward new all-time highs.

On the contrary, if Hyperliquid price drops below the 200-day SMA at $34.8, the bullish thesis would be invalidated and could lead to further downside.

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Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

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Crypto Scam Leader Extradited to China to Face Charges

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Crypto Scam Leader Extradited to China to Face Charges

Li Xiong, a key member of a group that allegedly helped crypto scam rings in Asia to move money, has been extradited from Cambodia to China, where he will face fraud and money laundering charges, according to Hong Kong-based news outlet Ta Kung Wen Wei.

On April 1, with strong support from the relevant authorities in Cambodia, a task force sent by China’s Ministry of Public Security successfully escorted Li Xiong, a core key member of the Chen Zhi criminal syndicate, back to China from Phnom Penh, Cambodia,” it said on Wednesday, citing a statement from China’s Ministry of Public Security on WeChat.

Xiong previously served as chairman of Huione Group, an alleged criminal organization that served scam centers in Cambodia that carried out “pig butchering” scams and other investment schemes to steal crypto from victims around the world. 

Huione Group was responsible for one of the largest illicit online marketplaces in the world, handling over $89 billion in cryptoassets.

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Source: Jacob in Cambodia

His extradition comes three months after the arrest of Chen Zhi, the head of Prince Group, which operates Huione Group. In October, it was reported that the US Department of Justice seized 127,271 Bitcoin (BTC) worth more than $15 billion from Zhi.

Related: Hong Kong retiree loses $840K in triple ‘crypto expert’ scam

The US Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network directed US banks to cut payments and accounts tied to the Huione Group in October.

Authorities ask other Huione members to surrender

Ta Kung Wen Wei noted that several other members of Zhi’s criminal syndicate have been brought to justice “one after another,” citing comments from Chinese public officials.

“Public security authorities will continue to intensify efforts to capture fugitives,” it said, adding:

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“At the same time, they once again warn criminals to recognize the situation, stop before it is too late, surrender as soon as possible, and strive for lenient treatment.”

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