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  • Investors throughout history have searched for ways to invest at the early stages of new businesses, ideas and investment opportunities.
  • We believe that new blockchain and smart contract-based technologies, and the protocol-based networks they enable, might represent a significant new business opportunity that has the potential to change existing business models and revamp how investors think about and hold their assets.
  • These innovations originated from the introduction of bitcoin, which introduced blockchain technologies to the world.
  • The bitcoin protocol is the first, distributed, consensus-based, censorship-resistant, permis­sionless, peer-to-peer settlement network built on blockchain with a provably scarce and programmable native currency (BTC). As such, bitcoin can be viewed as blockchain’s native currency. BTC is the first, oldest and largest cryptocurrency in the world.

Read the full paper to learn more.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

All investments involve risk, including the loss of principal.

Blockchain and cryptocurrency investments are subject to various risks, including inability to develop digital asset applications or to capitalize on those applications, theft, loss, or destruction of cryptographic keys, the possibility that digital asset technologies may never be fully implemented, cybersecurity risk, conflicting intellectual property claims, and inconsistent and changing regulations. Speculative trading in bitcoins and other forms of cryptocurrencies, many of which have exhibited extreme price volatility, carries significant risk; an investor can lose the entire amount of their investment. Blockchain technology is a new and relatively untested technology and may never be implemented to a scale that provides identifiable benefits. If a cryptocurrency is deemed a security, it may be deemed to violate federal securities laws. There may be a limited or no secondary market for cryptocurrencies.

Digital assets are subject to risks relating to immature and rapidly developing technology, security vulnerabilities of this technology, (such as theft, loss, or destruction of cryptographic keys), conflicting intellectual property claims, credit risk of digital asset exchanges, regulatory uncertainty, high volatility in their value/price, unclear acceptance by users and global marketplaces, and manipulation or fraud. Portfolio managers, service providers to the portfolios and other market participants increasingly depend on complex information technology and communications systems to conduct business functions. These systems are subject to a number of different threats or risks that could adversely affect the portfolio and their investors, despite the efforts of the portfolio managers and service providers to adopt technologies, processes and practices intended to mitigate these risks and protect the security of their computer systems, software, networks and other technology assets, as well as the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information belonging to the portfolios and their investors.

Any companies and/or case studies referenced herein are used solely for illustrative purposes; any investment may or may not be currently held by any portfolio advised by Franklin Templeton. The information provided is not a recommendation or individual investment advice for any particular security, strategy, or investment product and is not an indication of the trading intent of any Franklin Templeton managed portfolio.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION

Information on this website is intended to be of general information only and does not constitute investment or financial product advice. It expresses no views as to the suitability of the products or services described as to the individual circumstances, objectives, financial situation, or needs of any investor. You should conduct your own investigation or consult a financial adviser before making any decision to invest. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statements (PDSs), and any associated reference documents before making an investment decision.

Neither Franklin Templeton Australia, nor any other company within the Franklin Templeton group guarantees the performance of any Fund, nor do they provide any guarantee in respect of the repayment of your capital. In accordance with the Design and Distribution Obligations, we maintain Target Market Determinations (TMD) for each of our Funds. All documents can be found via the Literature Page or by calling 1800 673 776. 

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