Franklin Templeton President and CEO Jenny Johnson highlighted the transformative potential of blockchain technology and shared her views on the evolving investment landscape in her keynote speech at the Milken Global Institute Conference in Beverly Hills.
Johnson envisions a future where ETFs and mutual funds will switch to blockchain platforms, revolutionizing the way people invest.
Franklin Templeton has emerged as a global leader in investment management, with assets under management exceeding $1.6 trillion. Johnson said the firm has evolved over the years from traditional asset management to encompass a wide range of offerings, including institutional services, wealth management and alternative investments.
Johnson made a bold prediction, envisioning a future where blockchain technology permeates the investment landscape, streamlining processes and reducing operational costs. Johnson, who took his first step into blockchain with Franklin Templeton's SEC-approved money market fund, highlighted the efficiency gains and cost savings offered by distributed ledger technology.
Johnson also talked about blockchain's potential to universalize investment opportunities, enabling retail investors to participate in new asset classes such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Although he acknowledged the regulatory challenges and associated risks in the digital asset space, Johnson noted that prudent investment strategies and active management are important to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.
*This is not investment advice.