Franklin Templeton exec has one word response to shocking Bitcoin demand

Franklin Templeton’s chief investment officer Max Gokhman said interest in Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is becoming a long-term trend, driven by institutional investors taking larger positions in digital assets.

Speaking on TheStreet Roundtable, Gokhman noted that Franklin Templeton launched its first digital asset model portfolios this year, alongside single-asset Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs and an 80-20 product split between the two.

“There’s been more demand in the individual products so far, and I think that actually makes sense,” he said. “Savvy investors are starting to build their own portfolios with their own views on the mix.”

Institutional interest rising

While Franklin Templeton’s allocation to crypto remains small compared to traditional investments, Gokhman said institutional involvement is accelerating.

“Something like 89% of transactions have been over 100K per Bitcoin transaction on exchanges this year,” he explained.

“These aren’t retail investors, these are more institutional players. And as the institutional realization of the digital asset space comes about, the demand is going to increase.”

The firm sees Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs as a gateway for investors who don’t want to handle custody themselves. “At a minimum, incorporating Ether into that portfolio starts leading you on the path to having a more diversified book of digital assets,” Gokhman said.

Long-term outlook

When asked about the future of demand, Gokhman described it as a “secular trend.” He acknowledged volatility in the short term, but said long-term catalysts such as regulation and broader use cases will keep driving interest.

“You really need to be patient and calm through those bouts of volatility,” he said.

Although he avoided specific price targets for Bitcoin and Ethereum, Gokhman stressed that institutionalization is reshaping the market.

“As the market grows, it can start taking on really different characteristics. As it gets more institutionalized, the volatility will fall, that invites more capital, increases demand, so that is good for prices,” he said.

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Aug 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the MARKETS section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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