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New finance leaders named at Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET) Sponsor

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Franklin Ethereum ETF, sponsored by Franklin Holdings, LLC, reported leadership changes in its finance functions. Effective May 8, 2026, Christoper Berarducci was appointed Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Sponsor, and Christopher Kings was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor.

On the same date, Vivek Pai resigned as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Sponsor, and Matthew Hinkle resigned as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Their decisions to resign were specifically stated as not resulting from any dispute or disagreement regarding the Fund’s operations, policies, or practices.

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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Effective date of leadership changes May 8, 2026 Date appointments and resignations took effect
Age of Christoper Berarducci 51 years Appointed Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of Sponsor
Age of Christopher Kings 51 years Appointed Chief Financial Officer of Sponsor
Emerging growth company regulatory
"405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company"
An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.
Chief Accounting Officer financial
"On May 8, 2026, Christoper Berarducci was appointed as the Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of Franklin Holdings, LLC"
A chief accounting officer is a senior executive responsible for overseeing a company's financial records and ensuring all accounting practices are accurate and compliant with regulations. They play a key role in preparing financial reports that help investors understand the company's financial health, much like a trusted navigator guiding a ship through complex waters. Their work ensures transparency and trust in the company's financial information.
Chief Financial Officer financial
"Also on May 8, 2026, Christopher Kings was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor."
A Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the person in charge of a company's money and financial planning. They decide how to spend, save, and invest funds to help the company grow and stay stable. Their role is important because good financial decisions keep the company healthy and successful.
Treasurer financial
"On May 8, 2026, Christoper Berarducci was appointed as the Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of Franklin Holdings, LLC"
fund complex financial
"and as an officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex for at least the past five years."
Understanding 8-K Material Events →
CboeBZX false 0002011535 0002011535 2026-05-08 2026-05-08
 
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 8, 2026

 

 

FRANKLIN ETHEREUM ETF

A SERIES OF FRANKLIN ETHEREUM TRUST

SPONSORED BY FRANKLIN HOLDINGS, LLC

(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-042169   99-6268769
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)		   (Commission
File Number)		   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

One Franklin Parkway,

San Mateo, CA 94403-1906

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 312-2000

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

☐

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

☐

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

☐

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

☐

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

  

Trading
symbol(s)

  

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Shares of Franklin Ethereum ETF   EZET   CBOE BZX Exchange, Inc.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 
 

Item 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

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 Ethereum ETF (the “Fund”). Also on May 8, 2026, Christopher Kings was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor.

Mr. Berarducci, 51, has served as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Sponsor since May 2026; as Vice President, Fund Administration and Reporting of Franklin Templeton since 2020; and as Treasurer since 2010 and Principal Financial Officer since 2019 of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates. Mr. Berarducci previously served as, Managing Director (2020), Director (2015 to 2020), and Vice President (2011 to 2015) of Legg Mason & Co.

Mr. Kings, 51, has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor since May 2026 and Senior Vice President of Franklin Templeton Services, LLC since 2024. Mr. Kings previously served in other positions within Franklin Templeton including as Vice President of Global Fund Administration & Reporting in EMEA; and as an officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex for at least the past five years.

In addition, effective May 8, 2026, Vivek Pai resigned as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Sponsor and Matthew Hinkle resigned as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor. Mr. Hinkle and Mr. Pai’s respective decisions to resign were not the result of any dispute or disagreement with the Sponsor or the Fund on any matter relating to the Fund’s operations, policies or practices.

 

2

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

FRANKLIN HOLDINGS LLC, in its

capacity as sponsor of Franklin Ethereum

Trust (registrant)

By:

  

/s/ David Mann*

  David Mann
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 8, 2026

 

*

The registrant is a trust and the person is signing in his capacity as an officer of Franklin Holdings, LLC, the Sponsor of the registrant.

 

3

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What leadership changes did Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET) report on May 8, 2026?

Franklin Ethereum ETF reported new finance leaders at its Sponsor on May 8, 2026. Christoper Berarducci became Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer, while Christopher Kings became Chief Financial Officer of Franklin Holdings, LLC, which sponsors the Fund.

Who is Christoper Berarducci and what is his role for Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET)?

Christoper Berarducci serves as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Sponsor for Franklin Ethereum ETF. He has experience at Franklin Templeton and previously held senior roles at Legg Mason & Co. and related funds over more than a decade.

Which executives resigned from roles connected to Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET)?

Vivek Pai resigned as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Sponsor, and Matthew Hinkle resigned as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor. The filing states their resignations were not due to disputes or disagreements about the Fund’s operations or practices.

Did the resignations at Franklin Ethereum ETF’s Sponsor involve any dispute or disagreement?

The filing explicitly states that the decisions of Vivek Pai and Matthew Hinkle to resign were not the result of any dispute or disagreement with the Sponsor or the Fund regarding its operations, policies, or practices, indicating routine leadership transition rather than conflict.

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