At a recent conference, Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson spoke about Bitcoin and blockchain technologies, describing them as key elements for the future of the financial system.
Bitcoin as a 'fear currency'
Jenny Johnson characterized Bitcoin as a 'fear currency', pointing to its use in countries with weak currencies and restricted banking systems. She noted that the focus on Bitcoin distracts from more significant opportunities related to blockchain.
Blockchain Infrastructure in Digital Finance
At the SALT conference, Johnson emphasized the importance of the 'infrastructure' of digital finance. She drew an analogy to digital highways where new financial products would operate. The significance of validators and tokenization was highlighted as driving forces for transparency and efficiency.
Regulations as the Main Barrier
Despite her optimistic view of the future, Johnson pointed out that regulation remains the biggest hurdle to progress. Without clear regulatory frameworks, the migration of mutual funds and ETFs to blockchains will remain delayed. She urges asset managers to focus not just on speculative tokens but on the infrastructure.
Jenny Johnson concluded that the future of financial networks depends on the development of blockchain infrastructure, emphasizing that it is not only about where Bitcoin trades, but how the future financial system is formed.
