Franklin Templeton CEO Predicts Universal Adoption for ETFs and Mutual Funds

In a recent tête-à-tête at the 27th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference in California, Jenny Johnson, the esteemed president and CEO of Franklin Templeton, reiterated her steadfast support for blockchain technology. During an exclusive interview with Bloomberg’s David Westland, Johnson delved into the transformative potential of blockchain, touching upon pivotal topics like tokenization and generative artificial intelligence (AI).

Unlocking Efficiency Through Tokenization

When broached on Franklin Templeton’s stance on tokenization, Johnson wasted no time in expressing her enthusiasm for blockchain. Recounting an illuminating experiment, she detailed the company’s exploration of blockchain’s efficacy in processing account records alongside traditional methods. The findings were unequivocally favorable, evoking astonishment at the substantial cost savings afforded by blockchain technology.

Johnson added, “It’s a very efficient technology, and we think it’s going to open up a lot of new investment opportunities. And, honestly, eventually, I think ETF and mutual funds are all going to be on blockchain.”

According to Johnson, blockchain’s streamlined processes and singular source of truth hold the key to unlocking a myriad of investment opportunities. Anticipating a future where exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds seamlessly integrate blockchain technology, Johnson underscored the technology’s capacity to mitigate the exorbitant costs associated with data verification across disparate systems.

“In the case of blockchain,” Johnson affirmed, “there’s only one source of truth.”

Johnson underscored blockchain’s democratizing influence on revenue streams, citing the groundbreaking initiative by pop icon Rihanna. By releasing a limited series of 300 nonfungible tokens (NFTs), Rihanna empowered token holders with fractional royalties from her music, facilitated through smart contracts. This pioneering venture epitomizes blockchain’s capacity to revolutionize ownership and monetization models across diverse industries.