diff --git a/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Base.hs b/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Base.hs
index daf855a311af..5fa83e508f53 100644
--- a/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Base.hs
+++ b/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Base.hs
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ data BuiltinType
   | BTOptional
   | BTMap
   | BTArrow
+  | BTAnyTemplate
   deriving (Eq, Data, Generic, NFData, Ord, Show)
 
 -- | Type as used in typed binders.
@@ -437,6 +438,14 @@ data Expr
   | ENone
     { noneType :: !Type
     }
+  | EToAnyTemplate
+    { toAnyTemplateTemplate :: !(Qualified TypeConName)
+    , toAnyTemplateBody :: !Expr
+    }
+  | EFromAnyTemplate
+    { fromAnyTemplateTemplate :: !(Qualified TypeConName)
+    , fromAnyTemplateBody :: !Expr
+    }
   -- | Update expression.
   | EUpdate !Update
   -- | Scenario expression.
diff --git a/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Pretty.hs b/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Pretty.hs
index 63b759b1850c..704f6df2fdb2 100644
--- a/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Pretty.hs
+++ b/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Pretty.hs
@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ instance Pretty BuiltinType where
     BTOptional -> "Optional"
     BTMap -> "Map"
     BTArrow -> "(->)"
+    BTAnyTemplate -> "AnyTemplate"
 
 prettyRecord :: (Pretty a) =>
   PrettyLevel -> Doc ann -> [(FieldName, a)] -> Doc ann
@@ -443,6 +444,8 @@ instance Pretty Expr where
         | otherwise -> pPrintPrec lvl prec x
     ESome typ body -> prettyAppKeyword lvl prec "some" [TyArg typ, TmArg body]
     ENone typ -> prettyAppKeyword lvl prec "none" [TyArg typ]
+    EToAnyTemplate tpl body -> prettyAppKeyword lvl prec "to_any_template" [tplArg tpl, TmArg body]
+    EFromAnyTemplate tpl body -> prettyAppKeyword lvl prec "from_any_template" [tplArg tpl, TmArg body]
 
 instance Pretty DefDataType where
   pPrintPrec lvl _prec (DefDataType mbLoc tcon (IsSerializable serializable) params dataCons) =
diff --git a/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Recursive.hs b/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Recursive.hs
index 736e3465573b..de12ebf1c07e 100644
--- a/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Recursive.hs
+++ b/compiler/daml-lf-ast/src/DA/Daml/LF/Ast/Recursive.hs
@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@ data ExprF expr
   | ELocationF   !SourceLoc !expr
   | ENoneF       !Type
   | ESomeF       !Type !expr
+  | EToAnyTemplateF !(Qualified TypeConName) !expr
+  | EFromAnyTemplateF !(Qualified TypeConName) !expr
   deriving (Foldable, Functor, Traversable)
 
 data BindingF expr = BindingF !(ExprVarName, Type) !expr
@@ -172,6 +174,8 @@ instance Recursive Expr where
     ELocation   a b   -> ELocationF     a b
     ENone       a     -> ENoneF         a
     ESome       a b   -> ESomeF         a b
+    EToAnyTemplate a b  -> EToAnyTemplateF a b
+    EFromAnyTemplate a b -> EFromAnyTemplateF a b
 
 instance Corecursive Expr where
   embed = \case
@@ -199,3 +203,5 @@ instance Corecursive Expr where
     ELocationF   a b   -> ELocation a b
     ENoneF       a     -> ENone a
     ESomeF       a b   -> ESome a b
+    EToAnyTemplateF a b  -> EToAnyTemplate a b
+    EFromAnyTemplateF a b -> EFromAnyTemplate a b
diff --git a/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/DecodeV1.hs b/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/DecodeV1.hs
index 41e311505ed5..ce9d37b3fa7b 100644
--- a/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/DecodeV1.hs
+++ b/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/DecodeV1.hs
@@ -373,6 +373,20 @@ decodeExprSum exprSum = mayDecode "exprSum" exprSum $ \case
     bodyType <- mayDecode "expr_OptionalSomeType" mbType decodeType
     bodyExpr <- mayDecode "expr_OptionalSomeBody" mbBody decodeExpr
     return (ESome bodyType bodyExpr)
+  LF1.ExprSumToAny (LF1.Expr_ToAny mbType mbExpr) -> do
+    type' <- mayDecode "expr_ToAnyType" mbType decodeType
+    case type' of
+        TCon con -> do
+            expr <- mayDecode "expr_ToAnyExpr" mbExpr decodeExpr
+            return (EToAnyTemplate con expr)
+        _ -> throwError (ExpectedTCon type')
+  LF1.ExprSumFromAny (LF1.Expr_FromAny mbType mbExpr) -> do
+    type' <- mayDecode "expr_FromAnyType" mbType decodeType
+    case type' of
+        TCon con -> do
+            expr <- mayDecode "expr_FromAnyExpr" mbExpr decodeExpr
+            return (EFromAnyTemplate con expr)
+        _ -> throwError (ExpectedTCon type')
 
 decodeUpdate :: LF1.Update -> DecodeImpl Expr
 decodeUpdate LF1.Update{..} = mayDecode "updateSum" updateSum $ \case
@@ -530,6 +544,7 @@ decodePrim = pure . \case
   LF1.PrimTypeOPTIONAL -> BTOptional
   LF1.PrimTypeMAP -> BTMap
   LF1.PrimTypeARROW -> BTArrow
+  LF1.PrimTypeANY -> BTAnyTemplate
 
 decodeType :: LF1.Type -> DecodeImpl Type
 decodeType LF1.Type{..} = mayDecode "typeSum" typeSum $ \case
diff --git a/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/EncodeV1.hs b/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/EncodeV1.hs
index 9a1cd03c4b76..239161d93670 100644
--- a/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/EncodeV1.hs
+++ b/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/EncodeV1.hs
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ encodeBuiltinType _version = P.Enumerated . Right . \case
     BTMap -> P.PrimTypeMAP
     BTArrow -> P.PrimTypeARROW
     BTNumeric -> P.PrimTypeNUMERIC
+    BTAnyTemplate -> P.PrimTypeANY
 
 encodeType' :: EncodeCtx -> Type -> P.Type
 encodeType' encctx@EncodeCtx{..} typ = P.Type . Just $
@@ -379,6 +380,8 @@ encodeExpr' encctx@EncodeCtx{..} = \case
     in P.Expr (Just $ encodeSourceLoc interned loc) esum
   ENone typ -> expr (P.ExprSumOptionalNone (P.Expr_OptionalNone (encodeType encctx typ)))
   ESome typ body -> expr (P.ExprSumOptionalSome (P.Expr_OptionalSome (encodeType encctx typ) (encodeExpr encctx body)))
+  EToAnyTemplate tpl body -> expr (P.ExprSumToAny (P.Expr_ToAny (encodeType encctx (TCon tpl)) (encodeExpr encctx body)))
+  EFromAnyTemplate tpl body -> expr (P.ExprSumFromAny (P.Expr_FromAny (encodeType encctx (TCon tpl)) (encodeExpr encctx body)))
   where
     expr = P.Expr Nothing . Just
 
diff --git a/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/Error.hs b/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/Error.hs
index 03fd290c0a18..be0d8e4d636c 100644
--- a/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/Error.hs
+++ b/compiler/daml-lf-proto/src/DA/Daml/LF/Proto3/Error.hs
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ data Error
   | DuplicateChoice ChoiceName
   | UnsupportedMinorVersion T.Text
   | MissingPackageRefId Word64
+  | ExpectedTCon Type
   deriving (Show, Eq)
 
 type Decode = Either Error
diff --git a/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/Simplifier.hs b/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/Simplifier.hs
index 1cbd840db4c6..0eccee9a34bd 100644
--- a/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/Simplifier.hs
+++ b/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/Simplifier.hs
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ freeVarsStep = \case
   EConsF _ s1 s2 -> s1 <> s2
   ENoneF _ -> mempty
   ESomeF _ s -> s
+  EToAnyTemplateF _ s -> s
+  EFromAnyTemplateF _ s -> s
   EUpdateF u ->
     case u of
       UPureF _ s -> s
@@ -206,6 +208,13 @@ safetyStep = \case
   ESomeF _ s
     | Safe _ <- s -> Safe 0
     | otherwise   -> Unsafe
+  EToAnyTemplateF _ s
+    | Safe _ <- s -> Safe 0
+    | otherwise -> Unsafe
+  EFromAnyTemplateF _ s
+    | Safe _ <- s -> Safe 0
+    | otherwise -> Unsafe
+
 
 infoStep :: ExprF Info -> Info
 infoStep e = Info (freeVarsStep (fmap freeVars e)) (safetyStep (fmap safety e))
diff --git a/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Check.hs b/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Check.hs
index 0832bf2106bc..015532a37a22 100644
--- a/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Check.hs
+++ b/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Check.hs
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ kindOfBuiltin = \case
   BTOptional -> KStar `KArrow` KStar
   BTMap -> KStar `KArrow` KStar
   BTArrow -> KStar `KArrow` KStar `KArrow` KStar
+  BTAnyTemplate -> KStar
 
 kindOf :: MonadGamma m => Type -> m Kind
 kindOf = \case
@@ -497,6 +498,14 @@ typeOf = \case
   ECons elemType headExpr tailExpr -> checkCons elemType headExpr tailExpr $> TList elemType
   ESome bodyType bodyExpr -> checkSome bodyType bodyExpr $> TOptional bodyType
   ENone bodyType -> checkType bodyType KStar $> TOptional bodyType
+  EToAnyTemplate tpl bodyExpr -> do
+    _ :: Template <- inWorld (lookupTemplate tpl)
+    checkExpr bodyExpr (TCon tpl)
+    pure $ TBuiltin BTAnyTemplate
+  EFromAnyTemplate tpl bodyExpr -> do
+    _ :: Template <- inWorld (lookupTemplate tpl)
+    checkExpr bodyExpr (TBuiltin BTAnyTemplate)
+    pure $ TOptional (TCon tpl)
   EUpdate upd -> typeOfUpdate upd
   EScenario scen -> typeOfScenario scen
   ELocation _ expr -> typeOf expr
diff --git a/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Error.hs b/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Error.hs
index 6d3dfbf6a6a5..415b66c4b0a5 100644
--- a/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Error.hs
+++ b/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Error.hs
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ data UnserializabilityReason
   | URNumericNotFixed
   | URNumericOutOfRange !Natural
   | URTypeLevelNat
+  | URAnyTemplate -- ^ It contains a value of type AnyTemplate.
 
 data Error
   = EUnknownTypeVar        !TypeVarName
@@ -94,6 +95,7 @@ data Error
   | EExpectedOptionalType  !Type
   | EEmptyCase
   | EExpectedTemplatableType !TypeConName
+  | EExpectedTemplateType !Type
   | EImportCycle           ![ModuleName]
   | EDataTypeCycle         ![TypeConName]
   | EValueCycle            ![ExprValName]
@@ -164,6 +166,7 @@ instance Pretty UnserializabilityReason where
     URNumericNotFixed -> "Numeric scale is not fixed"
     URNumericOutOfRange n -> "Numeric scale " <> integer (fromIntegral n) <> " is out of range (needs to be between 0 and 38)"
     URTypeLevelNat -> "type-level nat"
+    URAnyTemplate -> "AnyTemplate"
 
 instance Pretty Error where
   pPrint = \case
@@ -244,6 +247,9 @@ instance Pretty Error where
     EExpectedTemplatableType tpl ->
       "expected monomorphic record type in template definition, but found:"
       <-> pretty tpl
+    EExpectedTemplateType ty ->
+      "expected template type as argument to to_any_template, but got:"
+      <-> pretty ty
     EImportCycle mods ->
       "found import cycle:" $$ vcat (map (\m -> "*" <-> pretty m) mods)
     EDataTypeCycle tycons ->
diff --git a/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Serializability.hs b/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Serializability.hs
index dbfabf9c9623..e8dbc3177bc4 100644
--- a/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Serializability.hs
+++ b/compiler/daml-lf-tools/src/DA/Daml/LF/TypeChecker/Serializability.hs
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ serializabilityConditionsType world0 _version mbModNameTpls vars = go
                                            -- (or polymorphically in DAML-LF <= 1.4).
         BTArrow -> Left URFunction
         BTNumeric -> Left URNumeric -- 'Numeric' is used as a higher-kinded type constructor.
+        BTAnyTemplate -> Left URAnyTemplate
       TForall{} -> Left URForall
       TTuple{} -> Left URTuple
 
diff --git a/compiler/damlc/daml-compiler/src/DA/Daml/Compiler/Upgrade.hs b/compiler/damlc/daml-compiler/src/DA/Daml/Compiler/Upgrade.hs
index 85eff406e244..d21dd96dd808 100644
--- a/compiler/damlc/daml-compiler/src/DA/Daml/Compiler/Upgrade.hs
+++ b/compiler/damlc/daml-compiler/src/DA/Daml/Compiler/Upgrade.hs
@@ -533,6 +533,8 @@ generateSrcFromLf (Qualify qualify) thisPkgId pkgMap m = noLoc mod
             LF.BTArrow -> mkTyConTypeUnqual funTyCon
             -- TODO (#2289): Add support for Numeric types.
             LF.BTNumeric -> error "Numeric type not yet supported in upgrades"
+            -- TODO see https://github.com/digital-asset/daml/issues/2876
+            LF.BTAnyTemplate -> error "AnyTemplate type not yet supported in upgrades"
     mkGhcType =
         HsTyVar noExt NotPromoted .
         noLoc . mkOrig gHC_TYPES . mkOccName varName
@@ -637,6 +639,8 @@ generateSrcFromLf (Qualify qualify) thisPkgId pkgMap m = noLoc mod
             LF.BTArrow -> (primUnitId, translateModName funTyCon)
             -- TODO (#2289): Add support for Numeric types.
             LF.BTNumeric -> error "Numeric type not yet supported in upgrades"
+            -- TODO: see https://github.com/digital-asset/daml/issues/2876
+            LF.BTAnyTemplate -> error "AnyTemplate type not yet supported in upgrades"
 
     translateModName ::
            forall a. NamedThing a
diff --git a/daml-lf/archive/da/daml_lf_1.proto b/daml-lf/archive/da/daml_lf_1.proto
index b7e12f9c722d..545a38e4b039 100644
--- a/daml-lf/archive/da/daml_lf_1.proto
+++ b/daml-lf/archive/da/daml_lf_1.proto
@@ -234,6 +234,9 @@ enum PrimType {
   // *Available in versions >= 1.dev*
   NUMERIC = 17;
 
+  // Builtin type 'Any'
+  // *Available in versions >= 1.dev*
+  ANY = 18;
 }
 
 // Types
@@ -711,6 +714,24 @@ message Expr {
     Expr body = 2;
   }
 
+  // Wrap a value in Any
+ // *Available in versions >= 1.dev*
+  message ToAny {
+    // type of argument. Must be the TypeConName of a template.
+    Type type = 1;
+    // argument
+    Expr expr = 2;
+  }
+
+  // Extract the given type from Any or return None on type-mismatch
+ // *Available in versions >= 1.dev*
+  message FromAny {
+    // type that should be extracted. Must be the TypeConName of a template.
+    Type type = 1;
+    // Value of type Any
+    Expr expr = 2;
+  }
+
   // Location of the expression in the DAML code source.
   // Optional
   Location location = 25;
@@ -794,6 +815,14 @@ message Expr {
     // non empty optional value ('ExpSome')
     // *Available in versions >= 1.1*
     OptionalSome optional_some = 27;
+
+    // Wrap an arbitrary value in Any ('ExpToAny')
+    // *Available in versions >= 1.dev*
+    ToAny to_any = 29;
+
+    // Extract the given type from Any or return None on type-mismatch ('ExpFromAny')
+    // *Available in versions >= 1.dev*
+    FromAny from_any = 30;
   }
 
   reserved 19; // This was equals. Removed in favour of BuiltinFunction.EQUAL_*
diff --git a/daml-lf/archive/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/archive/DecodeV1.scala b/daml-lf/archive/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/archive/DecodeV1.scala
index 1b5e05770aba..cd28435becbc 100644
--- a/daml-lf/archive/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/archive/DecodeV1.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/archive/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/archive/DecodeV1.scala
@@ -539,6 +539,25 @@ private[archive] class DecodeV1(minor: LV.Minor) extends Decode.OfPackage[PLF.Pa
           val some = lfExpr.getOptionalSome
           ESome(decodeType(some.getType), decodeExpr(some.getBody, definition))
 
+        case PLF.Expr.SumCase.TO_ANY =>
+          assertSince(LV.Features.anyTemplate, "Expr.ToAnyTemplate")
+          decodeType(lfExpr.getToAny.getType) match {
+            case TTyCon(tmplId) =>
+              EToAnyTemplate(
+                tmplId = tmplId,
+                body = decodeExpr(lfExpr.getToAny.getExpr, definition))
+            case ty => throw ParseError(s"TO_ANY must be applied to a template type but got $ty")
+          }
+
+        case PLF.Expr.SumCase.FROM_ANY =>
+          assertSince(LV.Features.anyTemplate, "Expr.FromAnyTemplate")
+          val fromAny = lfExpr.getFromAny
+          decodeType(fromAny.getType) match {
+            case TTyCon(tmplId) =>
+              EFromAnyTemplate(tmplId = tmplId, body = decodeExpr(fromAny.getExpr, definition))
+            case ty => throw ParseError(s"FROM_ANY must be applied to a template type but got $ty")
+          }
+
         case PLF.Expr.SumCase.SUM_NOT_SET =>
           throw ParseError("Expr.SUM_NOT_SET")
       }
@@ -796,7 +815,8 @@ private[lf] object DecodeV1 {
       BuiltinTypeInfo(OPTIONAL, BTOptional, minVersion = optional),
       BuiltinTypeInfo(MAP, BTMap, minVersion = optional),
       BuiltinTypeInfo(ARROW, BTArrow, minVersion = arrowType),
-      BuiltinTypeInfo(NUMERIC, BTNumeric, minVersion = numeric)
+      BuiltinTypeInfo(NUMERIC, BTNumeric, minVersion = numeric),
+      BuiltinTypeInfo(ANY, BTAnyTemplate, minVersion = anyTemplate)
     )
   }
 
diff --git a/daml-lf/archive/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/archive/DecodeV1Spec.scala b/daml-lf/archive/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/archive/DecodeV1Spec.scala
index 609f2f36732f..d6cba2d81d7d 100644
--- a/daml-lf/archive/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/archive/DecodeV1Spec.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/archive/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/archive/DecodeV1Spec.scala
@@ -64,6 +64,18 @@ class DecodeV1Spec
     LV.Minor.Dev
   )
 
+  private val preAnyTemplateVersions = Table(
+    "minVersion",
+    List(1, 4, 6).map(i => LV.Minor.Stable(i.toString)): _*
+  )
+
+  // FixMe: https://github.com/digital-asset/daml/issues/2876
+  //        add stable version when AnyTemplate is released
+  private val postAnyTemplateVersions = Table(
+    "minVersion",
+    LV.Minor.Dev
+  )
+
   "decodeKind" should {
 
     "reject nat kind if lf version < 1.dev" in {
@@ -187,6 +199,20 @@ class DecodeV1Spec
         }
       }
     }
+
+    "reject AnyTemplate if version < 1.dev" in {
+      forEvery(preAnyTemplateVersions) { version =>
+        val decoder = moduleDecoder(version)
+        a[ParseError] shouldBe thrownBy(decoder.decodeType(buildPrimType(ANY)))
+      }
+    }
+
+    "accept AnyTemplate if version >= 1.dev" in {
+      forEvery(postAnyTemplateVersions) { minVersion =>
+        val decoder = moduleDecoder(minVersion)
+        decoder.decodeType(buildPrimType(ANY)) shouldBe TAnyTemplate
+      }
+    }
   }
 
   "decodeExpr" should {
diff --git a/daml-lf/interpreter/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/speedy/Compiler.scala b/daml-lf/interpreter/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/speedy/Compiler.scala
index e822b0a0c897..db22577d4e02 100644
--- a/daml-lf/interpreter/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/speedy/Compiler.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/interpreter/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/speedy/Compiler.scala
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ final case class Compiler(packages: PackageId PartialFunction Package) {
       case ELocation(loc, e) =>
         SELocation(loc, translate(e))
 
-      case EToAnyTemplate(e) =>
+      case EToAnyTemplate(_, e) =>
         SEApp(SEBuiltin(SBToAnyTemplate), Array(translate(e)))
 
       case EFromAnyTemplate(tmplId, e) =>
diff --git a/daml-lf/interpreter/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/speedy/SpeedyTest.scala b/daml-lf/interpreter/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/speedy/SpeedyTest.scala
index 3f816036a6a0..9657d01086f0 100644
--- a/daml-lf/interpreter/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/speedy/SpeedyTest.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/interpreter/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/speedy/SpeedyTest.scala
@@ -122,10 +122,10 @@ class SpeedyTest extends WordSpec with Matchers {
   "to_any_template" should {
 
     "throw an exception on Int64" in {
-      eval(e"""to_any_template 1""", anyTemplatePkgs) shouldBe 'left
+      eval(e"""to_any_template @Test:T1 1""", anyTemplatePkgs) shouldBe 'left
     }
     "succeed on template type" in {
-      eval(e"""to_any_template (Test:T1 {party = 'Alice'})""", anyTemplatePkgs) shouldBe
+      eval(e"""to_any_template @Test:T1 (Test:T1 {party = 'Alice'})""", anyTemplatePkgs) shouldBe
         Right(
           SAnyTemplate(SRecord(
             Identifier(pkgId, QualifiedName.assertFromString("Test:T1")),
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ class SpeedyTest extends WordSpec with Matchers {
 
     "return Some(tpl) if template id matches" in {
       eval(
-        e"""from_any_template @Test:T1 (to_any_template (Test:T1 {party = 'Alice'}))""",
+        e"""from_any_template @Test:T1 (to_any_template @Test:T1 (Test:T1 {party = 'Alice'}))""",
         anyTemplatePkgs) shouldBe
         Right(
           SOptional(Some(SRecord(
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class SpeedyTest extends WordSpec with Matchers {
 
     "return None if template id does not match" in {
       eval(
-        e"""from_any_template @Test:T2 (to_any_template (Test:T1 {party = 'Alice'}))""",
+        e"""from_any_template @Test:T2 (to_any_template @Test:T1 (Test:T1 {party = 'Alice'}))""",
         anyTemplatePkgs) shouldBe Right(SOptional(None))
     }
   }
diff --git a/daml-lf/language/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/language/Ast.scala b/daml-lf/language/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/language/Ast.scala
index def822343762..fb9c787759fe 100644
--- a/daml-lf/language/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/language/Ast.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/language/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/language/Ast.scala
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ object Ast {
   final case class ESome(typ: Type, body: Expr) extends Expr
 
   /** AnyTemplate constructor **/
-  final case class EToAnyTemplate(body: Expr) extends Expr
+  final case class EToAnyTemplate(tmplId: TypeConName, body: Expr) extends Expr
 
   /** Extract the underlying template if it matches the tmplId **/
   final case class EFromAnyTemplate(tmplId: TypeConName, body: Expr) extends Expr
diff --git a/daml-lf/language/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/language/LanguageVersion.scala b/daml-lf/language/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/language/LanguageVersion.scala
index acad91addfe9..b6d84764e4f1 100644
--- a/daml-lf/language/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/language/LanguageVersion.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/language/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/language/LanguageVersion.scala
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ object LanguageVersion {
     val enum = v1_6
     val internedIds = v1_6
     val numeric = v1_dev
+    val anyTemplate = v1_dev
 
     /** See <https://github.com/digital-asset/daml/issues/1866>. To not break backwards
       * compatibility, we introduce a new DAML-LF version where this restriction is in
diff --git a/daml-lf/parser/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/testing/parser/AstRewriter.scala b/daml-lf/parser/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/testing/parser/AstRewriter.scala
index 75e2cf1d19fb..e8cff6c965e9 100644
--- a/daml-lf/parser/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/testing/parser/AstRewriter.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/parser/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/testing/parser/AstRewriter.scala
@@ -121,8 +121,8 @@ private[digitalasset] class AstRewriter(
           ENone(apply(typ))
         case ESome(typ, body) =>
           ESome(apply(typ), apply(body))
-        case EToAnyTemplate(body) =>
-          EToAnyTemplate(apply(body))
+        case EToAnyTemplate(tmplId, body) =>
+          EToAnyTemplate(tmplId, apply(body))
         case EFromAnyTemplate(tmplId, body) =>
           EFromAnyTemplate(tmplId, apply(body))
       }
diff --git a/daml-lf/parser/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/testing/parser/ExprParser.scala b/daml-lf/parser/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/testing/parser/ExprParser.scala
index f75eb43055de..161143a0069d 100644
--- a/daml-lf/parser/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/testing/parser/ExprParser.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/parser/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/testing/parser/ExprParser.scala
@@ -177,7 +177,9 @@ private[parser] class ExprParser[P](parserParameters: ParserParameters[P]) {
     }
 
   private lazy val eToAnyTemplate: Parser[Expr] =
-    `to_any_template` ~>! expr0 ^^ EToAnyTemplate
+    `to_any_template` ~>! `@` ~> fullIdentifier ~ expr0 ^^ {
+      case tyCon ~ e => EToAnyTemplate(tyCon, e)
+    }
 
   private lazy val eFromAnyTemplate: Parser[Expr] =
     `from_any_template` ~>! `@` ~> fullIdentifier ~ expr0 ^^ {
diff --git a/daml-lf/spec/daml-lf-1.rst b/daml-lf/spec/daml-lf-1.rst
index 97df92acc0af..8076729f4270 100644
--- a/daml-lf/spec/daml-lf-1.rst
+++ b/daml-lf/spec/daml-lf-1.rst
@@ -236,6 +236,10 @@ Version: 1.dev
   * **Replace** fixed scaled 'Decimal' type by parametrically scaled
     'Numeric' type.
 
+  * **Add** existential ``AnyTemplate`` type and
+    ``from_any_template`` and ``to_any_template`` functions to convert from/to
+    an arbitrary template to ``AnyTemplate``.
+
 Abstract syntax
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
@@ -527,6 +531,7 @@ Then we can define our kinds, types, and expressions::
        |  'Map'                                     -- BTMap
        |  'Update'                                  -- BTyUpdate
        |  'ContractId'                              -- BTyContractId
+       |  'AnyTemplate'                             –- BTyAnyTemplate
 
   Types (mnemonic: tau for type)
     τ, σ
@@ -571,6 +576,8 @@ Then we can define our kinds, types, and expressions::
        |  e.f                                       -- ExpTupleProj: Tuple projection
        |  ⟨ e₁ 'with' f = e₂ ⟩                      -- ExpTupleUpdate: Tuple update
        |  u                                         -- ExpUpdate: Update expression
+       | 'to_any_template' @Mod:T t                 -- ExpToAnyTemplate: Wrap a template in AnyTemplate
+       | 'from_any_template' @Mod:T t               -- ExpToAnyTemplate: Extract the given template from AnyTemplate or return None
 
   Patterns
     p
@@ -784,6 +791,9 @@ First, we formally defined *well-formed types*. ::
     ————————————————————————————————————————————— TyContractId
       Γ  ⊢  'ContractId' : ⋆  → ⋆
 
+    ————————————————————————————————————————————— TyAnyTemplate
+      Γ  ⊢  'AnyTemplate' : ⋆
+
       'record' T (α₁:k₁) … (αₙ:kₙ) ↦ … ∈ 〚Ξ〛Mod
     ————————————————————————————————————————————— TyRecordCon
       Γ  ⊢  Mod:T : k₁ → … → kₙ  → ⋆
@@ -860,6 +870,14 @@ Then we define *well-formed expressions*. ::
     ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— ExpOptionSome
       Γ  ⊢  'Some' @τ e  :  'Option' τ
 
+      'tpl' (x : T) ↦ …  ∈  〚Ξ〛Mod       Γ  ⊢  e  : Mod:T
+    ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— ExpToAnyTemplate
+      Γ  ⊢  'to_any_template' @Mod:T e  :  'AnyTemplate'
+
+      'tpl' (x : T) ↦ …  ∈  〚Ξ〛Mod       Γ  ⊢  e  : AnyTemplate
+    ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— ExpFromAnyTemplate
+      Γ  ⊢  'from_any_template' @Mod:T e  :  'Optional' Mod:T
+
     ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— ExpBuiltin
       Γ  ⊢  F : 𝕋(F)
 
@@ -1467,6 +1485,11 @@ need to be evaluated further. ::
    ——————————————————————————————————————————————————— ValExpTupleCon
      ⊢ᵥ  ⟨ f₁ = e₁, …, fₘ = eₘ ⟩
 
+
+     ⊢ᵥ e
+   ——————————————————————————————————————————————————— ValExpToAnyTemplate
+     ⊢ᵥ  'to_any_template' @Mod:T e
+
      ⊢ᵥ  e
    ——————————————————————————————————————————————————— ValExpUpdPure
      ⊢ᵥ  'pure' e
@@ -1625,6 +1648,19 @@ exact output.
     —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— EvExpLet
       'let' x : τ = e₁ 'in' e₂ ‖ E₀  ⇓  r ‖ E₂
 
+      e ‖ E₀  ⇓  Ok v ‖ E₁
+    —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— EvExpToAnyTemplate
+      'to_any_template' @Mod:T e ‖ E₀  ⇓  Ok('to_any_template' @Mod:T v) ‖ E₁
+
+      e ‖ E₀  ⇓  Ok ('to_any_template' @Mod:T v) ‖ E₁
+    —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— EvExpFromAnyTemplateSucc
+      'from_any_template' @Mod:T e ‖ E₀  ⇓  'Some' @Mod:T v ‖ E₁
+
+      e ‖ E₀  ⇓  Ok ('to_any_template' @Mod₂:T₂ v) ‖ E₁     Mod₁:T₁ ≠ Mod₂:T₂
+    —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— EvExpFromAnyTemplateFail
+      'from_any_template' @Mod₁:T₁ e ‖ E₀  ⇓  'None' ‖ E₁
+
+
       e₁ ‖ E₀  ⇓  Ok v₁ ‖ E₁
       v 'matches' p₁  ⇝  Succ (x₁ ↦ v₁ · … · xₘ ↦ vₘ · ε)
       e₁[x₁ ↦ v₁, …, xₘ ↦ vₘ] ‖ E₁  ⇓  r ‖ E₂
diff --git a/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/TypeSubst.scala b/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/TypeSubst.scala
index ee551162ef78..13a1f4bab341 100644
--- a/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/TypeSubst.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/TypeSubst.scala
@@ -159,8 +159,8 @@ private[validation] case class TypeSubst(map: Map[TypeVarName, Type], private va
       ENone(apply(typ))
     case ESome(typ, body) =>
       ESome(apply(typ), apply(body))
-    case EToAnyTemplate(body) =>
-      EToAnyTemplate(apply(body))
+    case EToAnyTemplate(tmplId, body) =>
+      EToAnyTemplate(tmplId, apply(body))
     case EFromAnyTemplate(tmplId, body) =>
       EFromAnyTemplate(tmplId, apply(body))
 
diff --git a/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/Typing.scala b/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/Typing.scala
index 78eeac04e5fa..523f06ea6cae 100644
--- a/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/Typing.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/Typing.scala
@@ -719,14 +719,11 @@ private[validation] object Typing {
         checkExpr(exp, TScenario(typ))
     }
 
-    private def typeOfToAnyTemplate(body: Expr): Type =
-      typeOf(body) match {
-        case TTyCon(tmplId) =>
-          lookupTemplate(ctx, tmplId)
-          TAnyTemplate
-        case typ =>
-          throw EExpectedTemplateType(ctx, typ)
-      }
+    private def typeOfToAnyTemplate(tpl: TypeConName, body: Expr): Type = {
+      lookupTemplate(ctx, tpl)
+      checkExpr(body, TTyCon(tpl))
+      TAnyTemplate
+    }
 
     private def typeOfFromAnyTemplate(tpl: TypeConName, body: Expr): Type = {
       lookupTemplate(ctx, tpl)
@@ -797,8 +794,8 @@ private[validation] object Typing {
         checkType(typ, KStar)
         val _ = checkExpr(body, typ)
         TOptional(typ)
-      case EToAnyTemplate(body) =>
-        typeOfToAnyTemplate(body)
+      case EToAnyTemplate(tmplId, body) =>
+        typeOfToAnyTemplate(tmplId, body)
       case EFromAnyTemplate(tmplId, body) =>
         typeOfFromAnyTemplate(tmplId, body)
     }
diff --git a/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/traversable/ExprTraversable.scala b/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/traversable/ExprTraversable.scala
index 676f68c6abf8..eab2dd7745fa 100644
--- a/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/traversable/ExprTraversable.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/validation/src/main/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/traversable/ExprTraversable.scala
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ private[validation] object ExprTraversable {
       case ENone(typ @ _) =>
       case ESome(typ @ _, body) =>
         f(body)
-      case EToAnyTemplate(body) =>
+      case EToAnyTemplate(tmplId @ _, body) =>
         f(body)
       case EFromAnyTemplate(tmplId @ _, body) =>
         f(body)
diff --git a/daml-lf/validation/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/TypingSpec.scala b/daml-lf/validation/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/TypingSpec.scala
index 890fb1289e8f..8ef116b775c1 100644
--- a/daml-lf/validation/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/TypingSpec.scala
+++ b/daml-lf/validation/src/test/scala/com/digitalasset/daml/lf/validation/TypingSpec.scala
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ class TypingSpec extends WordSpec with TableDrivenPropertyChecks with Matchers {
         E"Λ (τ : ⋆) (σ : ⋆). λ (e₁ : τ) (e₂: σ) → (( case e₁ of _ → e₂ ))" ->
           T"∀ (τ : ⋆) (σ : ⋆). τ → σ → (( σ ))",
         // ExpToAnyTemplate
-        E"""λ (t : Mod:T) -> (( to_any_template t ))""" ->
+        E"""λ (t : Mod:T) -> (( to_any_template @Mod:T t ))""" ->
           T"Mod:T -> AnyTemplate",
         // ExpFromAnyTemplate
         E"""λ (t: AnyTemplate) -> (( from_any_template @Mod:T t ))""" ->
@@ -340,9 +340,9 @@ class TypingSpec extends WordSpec with TableDrivenPropertyChecks with Matchers {
         // ExpCaseOr
         E"Λ (τ : ⋆). λ (e : τ) → (( case e of  ))",
         // ExpToAnyTemplate
-        E"Λ (τ : *). λ (r: Mod:R τ) -> to_any_template r",
-        E"Λ (τ : *). λ (t: Mod:Tree τ) -> to_any_template t",
-        E"λ (c: Color) -> to_any_template c",
+        E"Λ (τ : *). λ (r: Mod:R τ) -> to_any_template @Mod:R r",
+        E"Λ (τ : *). λ (t: Mod:Tree τ) -> to_any_template @Mod:Tree t",
+        E"λ (c: Color) -> to_any_template @Mod:Color c",
         // ExpFromAnyTemplate
         E"λ (t: AnyTemplate) -> from_any_template @Mod:R t",
         E"λ (t: AnyTemplate) -> from_any_template @Mod:Tree t",