Who is Christopher Kings and what role does he hold for SOEZ’s sponsor?

Christopher Kings, 51, became Chief Financial Officer of Franklin Holdings, LLC, sponsor of Franklin Solana ETF, on May 8, 2026. He has served as Senior Vice President of Franklin Templeton Services, LLC since 2024 and previously held global fund administration and officer roles within the Franklin Templeton fund complex.

Which officers resigned from Franklin Solana ETF’s sponsor and why?

Effective May 8, 2026, Vivek Pai resigned as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer and Matthew Hinkle resigned as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Franklin Holdings, LLC. Their resignations were stated as not resulting from any dispute or disagreement regarding the Fund’s operations, policies, or practices.

Franklin Solana ETF (SOEZ) shifts sponsor finance roles with new CFO, CAO

Filing Impact

(Moderate)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Franklin Solana ETF, a series of Franklin Solana Trust, reported leadership changes at its sponsor, Franklin Holdings, LLC. Effective May 8, 2026, Christopher Berarducci, age 51, was appointed Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer, and Christopher Kings, also 51, became Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor.

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

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

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.

Key Figures

Form type: Form 8-K Effective date of changes: May 8, 2026 Age of Christopher Berarducci: 51 years +2 more

5 metrics

Form type Form 8-K Current report under Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Effective date of changes May 8, 2026 Officer appointments and resignations at Sponsor

Age of Christopher Berarducci 51 years Appointed Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer

Age of Christopher Kings 51 years Appointed Chief Financial Officer of Sponsor

Commission file number 001-42979 Franklin Solana ETF registration reference

Key Terms

Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Emerging growth company, sponsor, +1 more

5 terms

Chief Accounting Officer financial

"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

"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.

Emerging growth company regulatory

"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.

Franklin Solana ETF financial

"the sponsor of Franklin Solana ETF (the “Fund”)"

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

05/08/2026 - 04:10 PM

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 SOLANA ETF

A SERIES OF FRANKLIN SOLANA TRUST

SPONSORED BY FRANKLIN HOLDINGS, LLC

(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware	001-42979	39-6814889
(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 Solana ETF	SOEZ	NYSE Arca, 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 Solana 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.

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 Solana 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.

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What executive changes were disclosed for Franklin Solana ETF (SOEZ)?

Franklin Solana ETF’s sponsor appointed Christopher Berarducci as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer and Christopher Kings as Chief Financial Officer, effective May 8, 2026. These changes relate to Franklin Holdings, LLC, the sponsor of the fund, rather than to the ETF’s portfolio or investment strategy.

Who is Christopher Berarducci in relation to Franklin Solana ETF (SOEZ)?

Christopher Berarducci, 51, was appointed Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of Franklin Holdings, LLC, the sponsor of Franklin Solana ETF, effective May 8, 2026. He also serves in senior fund administration roles at Franklin Templeton and has long-standing responsibilities with Legg Mason-related funds.

Does the 8-K for Franklin Solana ETF (SOEZ) mention any disagreements with prior officers?

The filing specifies that the decisions of Vivek Pai and Matthew Hinkle to resign from their sponsor roles were not due to any dispute or disagreement with the Sponsor or the Fund on matters relating to operations, policies, or practices, indicating routine leadership transitions at the sponsor level.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents