---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-214633"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "XRPZ"
cik: "0002059438"
company_name: "Franklin XRP Trust"
filed_at: "2026-05-08T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-14T21:14:44.609843+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.25
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.25
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Franklin XRP ETF sponsor appoints new CAO/Treasurer and CFO; two officers resign

## Summary
- Christoper Berarducci appointed Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of Sponsor Franklin Holdings, LLC, effective May 8, 2026.
- Christopher Kings appointed Chief Financial Officer of Sponsor, effective May 8, 2026.
- Vivek Pai resigned as CAO/Treasurer and Matthew Hinkle resigned as VP/CFO of Sponsor, effective May 8, 2026.
- Resignations were not due to any dispute or disagreement with Sponsor or Fund operations.
- Berarducci previously VP, Fund Administration and Reporting at Franklin Templeton since 2020; Kings served as SVP at Franklin Templeton Services since 2024.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-214633
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: XRPZ
- cik: 0002059438
- company_name: Franklin XRP Trust
- filed_at: 2026-05-08T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.25
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.25
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2059438/000119312526214633/0001193125-26-214633-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2059438/000119312526214633/d100480d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-214633
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-214633.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-214633.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Vivek Pai resigned as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer at Franklin XRP Trust.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
  source text: In addition, effective May 8, 2026, Vivek Pai resigned as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Sponsor
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2059438/000119312526214633/0001193125-26-214633-index.htm
- Executive change
  Christoper Berarducci was appointed as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer at Franklin XRP Trust.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
  source text: On May 8, 2026, Christoper Berarducci was appointed as the Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of Franklin Holdings, LLC (the “Sponsor”), the sponsor of Franklin XRP ETF (the “Fund”).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2059438/000119312526214633/0001193125-26-214633-index.htm
- Executive change
  Matthew Hinkle resigned as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Franklin XRP Trust.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  source text: and Matthew Hinkle resigned as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2059438/000119312526214633/0001193125-26-214633-index.htm
- Executive change
  Christopher Kings was appointed as Chief Financial Officer at Franklin XRP Trust.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: Also on May 8, 2026, Christopher Kings was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2059438/000119312526214633/0001193125-26-214633-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.