Franklin Templeton files to list two ETFs that turn stock dividends into bitcoin exposure, effective Oct. 27

Summary

Franklin Templeton ETF Trust filed a Form 8-A with the SEC on Oct. 22 to register shares of the Franklin US Equity Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF and the Franklin US Innovation Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF for trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market, according to the filing.

A post-effective amendment filed the same day says it is set to take effect on Oct. 27, 2026, and the prospectuses list the tickers FBEQ and FIBT.

According to the prospectuses, each fund tracks a VettaFi index that started at 95% stocks and 5% bitcoin, and all regular and special dividends from the stocks are reinvested into bitcoin at the market open on the day after the ex-dividend date, so bitcoin exposure grows over time.

Bitcoin Magazine described the filings as the final hurdle before launch, but the prospectus covers state that the SEC has not approved or disapproved the securities; the 8-A registers the shares with an exchange, and the filings do not say when trading will begin.

Key facts

• FBEQ tracks the VettaFi US Large-Cap 500 Bitcoin DRIP Index; FIBT tracks the VettaFi US Innovation 100 Bitcoin DRIP Index, per the prospectuses. (SEC EDGAR (Franklin Templeton ETF Trust filing))
• At each quarterly rebalance, a bitcoin allocation above 5% is cut back to 4.5%; if bitcoin tops 20% at any close between rebalances, it is reset to 4.5% at the close of the second business day after, the prospectus says. (SEC EDGAR (Franklin Templeton ETF Trust filing))
• The unified management fee is 0.09% a year for the Equity fund and 0.19% for the Innovation fund, according to the filing. (SEC EDGAR (Franklin Templeton ETF Trust filing))
• The funds may get bitcoin exposure through investments held in a wholly owned Cayman Islands subsidiary, the prospectus says. (SEC EDGAR (Franklin Templeton ETF Trust filing))
• Bitcoin Magazine reported that the funds do not hold bitcoin on-chain and instead get exposure through bitcoin exchange-traded products, including Franklin's own spot fund, plus futures, options or depositary receipts. (Bitcoin Magazine)
• Bitcoin Magazine said the funds were first filed in June without tickers or fees. (Bitcoin Magazine)

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