Core Insights - Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN) reported preliminary assets under management (AUM) of $1.74 trillion as of February 28, 2026, reflecting a 1.7% increase from the prior month, driven by positive market impacts and long-term net inflows of approximately $10 billion, despite nearly $1 billion of long-term net outflows at Western Asset Management [1][10] AUM Growth by Asset Class - The company experienced sequential growth across major asset classes: equity assets rose 1.8% to $721.8 billion, fixed income AUM increased nearly 1% to $443.9 billion, alternative AUM grew 1.1% to $278.4 billion, multi-asset AUM climbed 3% to $210.7 billion, and cash management balances rose 6.3% to $80.9 billion [2][10] Historical AUM Performance - Franklin has shown solid growth in its AUM balance over the years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% over the last five fiscal years (ended fiscal 2025), despite declines in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2025 [3] Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships - The company has enhanced its asset management platform through acquisitions, including the October 2025 acquisition of Apera Asset Management, which added over $5.4 billion in AUM, and partnerships aimed at expanding private infrastructure offerings [4][5] Distribution and Investment Capabilities - Franklin has broadened its distribution and investment capabilities through partnerships, such as with Japan's SBI Holdings for ETF and digital asset capabilities, and the acquisition of Putnam Investments, which lifted defined contribution AUM to over $100 billion [5] Focus on Alternative Assets - The company's growing focus on alternative assets and multi-asset solutions, along with a regionally focused distribution model, is expected to support ongoing AUM growth [6] Competitor AUM Growth - Competitors like T. Rowe Price and Lazard are also witnessing AUM growth, with T. Rowe Price reporting $1.80 trillion in AUM for January 2026, reflecting a 1.2% increase, and Lazard reporting $266.9 billion, up 4.9% sequentially [7][8][9]

Core Insights - AlloyX Group is actively engaging with Bahrain's government officials to enhance the country's digital asset and stablecoin infrastructure [1][2] - The company aims to position Bahrain as a globally trusted hub for digital assets and family office businesses, emphasizing innovation and regulation [2] - The meetings have strengthened AlloyX Group's confidence in Bahrain as a strategic location for its global stablecoin initiatives [3] Group Meetings - High-level meetings were held with key Bahraini officials, including the Minister of Finance and National Economy and the Governor of the Central Bank [1] - Discussions focused on fostering a well-regulated financial ecosystem that supports innovation in digital finance [2] Strategic Vision - AlloyX Group's vision includes supporting Bahrain's development in the digital finance landscape, highlighting the country's growing importance [2] - The company is committed to advancing its global stablecoin initiatives from Bahrain, reinforcing its strategic positioning [3]

Core Insights - A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has introduced the Digital Asset Protection, Accountability, Regulation, Innovation, Taxation, and Yields (PARITY) Act, aiming to reform the treatment of digital assets under U.S. tax law [1][8] Stablecoins and Everyday Payments - The PARITY Act includes a de minimis tax exemption for regulated payment stablecoins, allowing small gains or losses from routine transactions to generally go untaxed [3][4] - This proposal aims to align stablecoin payments with foreign currency transactions, providing tax relief for low-value transactions [3] - Only dollar-pegged stablecoins issued by approved entities would qualify for this tax exemption, applicable only if the stablecoin trades within a narrow price band [4] Broader Crypto Tax Reforms - The PARITY Act proposes extending wash-sale rules from the stock market to actively traded digital assets, preventing investors from claiming tax deductions on losses if they quickly repurchase the same tokens [6][7] - Additional reforms include mark-to-market accounting and rules to prevent gain deferral through complex derivatives or hedging strategies [7] - The bill also addresses digital asset lending, allowing certain crypto loans to avoid immediate tax recognition, similar to securities lending [9] - Clearer rules for staking and mining rewards are proposed, enabling taxpayers to defer income recognition for several years [9]

Japanese Bitcoin Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) firm Metaplanet announced it has acquired an additional 5,268 BTC, bringing its total holdings to 30,823 BTC. https://t.co/VGOs1oUF7B ...