Global banking giant Citi has rolled out a new market-leading solution: tokenized digital depositary receipts for private company shares. This makes Citi the first global financial firm to both issue and act as custodian for this type of instrument, creating a clearer, more direct way for private businesses and investors to connect.
The system has already gone live with its first transaction, linking platform provider Kaleido – also a Citi portfolio company – with investors from Citi’s wealth management division, supported by its secondary private markets team.
Officials note that as private markets expand, there is growing demand for reliable, accessible ways to participate. The new product applies the same strict standards used in traditional finance to protect assets and ensure smooth operations, while its flexible design will work with future digital market infrastructure. It aims to cut through unnecessary complexity, make it easier for companies to raise funds, and open up new investment opportunities for all qualified parties.
