---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-214641"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "EZPZ"
cik: "0002033807"
company_name: "Franklin Crypto Trust"
filed_at: "2026-05-08T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-14T21:14:00.401725+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.35
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Franklin Crypto Index ETF appoints new CAO/Treasurer and CFO; prior officers resign

## Summary
- Christoper Berarducci appointed CAO and Treasurer; Christopher Kings appointed CFO, effective May 8, 2026.
- Vivek Pai resigned as CAO/Treasurer and Matthew Hinkle as VP/CFO, effective same date.
- Both resignations not due to any dispute with the Sponsor or Fund.
- Berarducci also serves as VP, Fund Admin & Reporting at Franklin Templeton; Kings is SVP at Franklin Templeton Services.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-214641
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: EZPZ
- cik: 0002033807
- company_name: Franklin Crypto Trust
- filed_at: 2026-05-08T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.35
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2033807/000119312526214641/0001193125-26-214641-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2033807/000119312526214641/d150292d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-214641
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-214641.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-214641.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Matthew Hinkle resigned as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Franklin Crypto Trust.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  source text: Matthew Hinkle resigned as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2033807/000119312526214641/0001193125-26-214641-index.htm
- Executive change
  Christoper Berarducci was appointed as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer at Franklin Crypto 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 Crypto Index ETF (the “Fund”).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2033807/000119312526214641/0001193125-26-214641-index.htm
- Executive change
  Vivek Pai resigned as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer at Franklin Crypto Trust.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
  source text: Vivek Pai resigned as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Sponsor
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2033807/000119312526214641/0001193125-26-214641-index.htm
- Executive change
  Christopher Kings was appointed as Chief Financial Officer at Franklin Crypto 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/2033807/000119312526214641/0001193125-26-214641-index.htm

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