
Citi launches market-first tokenized depositary receipts to connect private companies, investors
Citi has officially launched Digital Depositary Receipts (DDRs) to tokenize private company shares, marking a significant advancement in institutional private market access. This initiative represents the first instance of a global financial institution acting as both the issuer and custodian for tokenized depositary receipts. The inaugural transaction involved Kaleido, an institutional tokenization platform and Citi portfolio company, connecting with investors through Citi’s Wealth business. By leveraging Citi’s Secondary Private Markets infrastructure, the solution aims to reduce the complexity typically associated with private equity investments. This development is critical for the RWA market as it establishes a rigorous, bank-grade framework for bringing illiquid private assets onto digital ledgers. The interoperable design of the DDRs is intended to scale capital formation while maintaining the high standards of traditional financial oversight. Ultimately, this move signals a shift toward more transparent and efficient digital asset infrastructure for institutional-grade private market participation.










