Citigroup unveils blockchain platform for private shares
7 Banking Citigroup is launching a blockchain platform for trading tokenized shares of private companies, targeting wealthy and institutional clients with regulated access to private equity.
Citigroup is set to launch a blockchain-based platform that enables trading of tokenized shares in private companies. Initially, the service will cater to wealthy and institutional clients, with a focus on foreign investors. The platform will use tokenized depositary receipts to provide regulated exposure to private-company shares. Citigroup will serve as both issuer and custodian of these securities, aiming to deliver an efficient and compliant structure for private equity investments. The bank is currently in talks with several large private companies about joining the platform, though no specific names have been revealed. The infrastructure is designed for interoperability, allowing other financial institutions to issue and manage their own tokenized private assets. This initiative addresses challenges in private markets, such as limited liquidity and high entry barriers, and highlights growing institutional confidence in blockchain-based asset servicing.
