#SIX
2 articles tagged #SIX — curated RWA tokenization coverage.
9.0
PE / VC
voi.id·23h ago
Connecting Closed Companies and Investors, Citi Launches First Tokenized Depositary Receipts
Citi has officially launched Digital Depositary Receipts (DDRs) for closed-market shares, marking a significant milestone in the tokenization of private equity assets. By acting as both the issuer and the custodian, Citi eliminates the need for complex third-party Special Purpose Vehicles, thereby reducing hidden costs and operational friction. The platform utilizes blockchain infrastructure operated by SIX, a regulated digital custodial and settlement institution, to ensure institutional-grade security and transparency. This initiative addresses the growing liquidity gap for private companies facing longer timelines for traditional IPOs. The inaugural transaction involved Kaleido, a Citi portfolio company, and investors from Citi's Wealth business line. This model allows issuers to expand their investor base without altering primary ownership rights or complicating capitalization tables. By integrating these tokenized assets into its existing Wealth platform, Citi provides clients with familiar, secure access to previously illiquid private market opportunities. The project represents a coordinated 'One Citi' effort to build an expandable, interoperable framework for future digital asset issuances across various blockchain networks.
8.5
Credit (Private Credit)
Want to invest in private companies? Tokenised shares could be the next frontier
Citi has launched the market’s first tokenised depositary receipts (TDRs) to provide wealthy investors with direct access to private company equity. By partnering with Switzerland-based blockchain infrastructure operator SIX, Citi acts as both issuer and custodian for these digital securities. The inaugural transaction involved the institutional platform Kaleido and a Citi portfolio company, marking a significant step in digitizing private market assets. This model allows investors to trade interests in private companies over the counter, effectively bypassing the traditional, lengthy wait for an IPO. By replacing complex special purpose vehicles with a regulated digital structure, the initiative aims to improve liquidity and transparency in historically fragmented markets. While this innovation promises greater accessibility, Citi’s recent report warns of potential risks, including settlement liquidity issues and the danger of mis-selling to investors. Ultimately, the TDR model represents a major effort by global financial institutions to integrate blockchain technology into traditional capital markets to address the growing trend of companies remaining private for longer periods.