Back to top

Image: Shutterstock

Citigroup (C) Joins Crypto Space, Unveils Digital Assets Unit

Read MoreHide Full Article

Several banks are contemplating taking the first step into the cryptocurrency markets after seeing a rise in interest from clients. According to a memo obtained by The Block, Citigroup Inc. (C - Free Report) , which has been planning to enter the crypto space for a long time, is one of the latest global banks to offer digital assets services for its wealthy clients by launching a business offshoot — Digital Assets Group.

The unit will be part of the bank’s wealth management division Citi Global Wealth Investments, and focus on blockchain and crypto assets. Its aspects include cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens, stablecoins and central bank digital currencies, according to the memo.

The memo, signed by the bank’s global head of capital markets, Iain Armitage, and global head, Rob Jasminski, said, "Given the exciting new developments we are seeing around cryptocurrencies, tokenization, and other advances powered by blockchain technology, we are pleased to announce the formation of the Digital Assets Group.”

The memo also added that the Digital Asset Group will be headed by Alex Kriete and Greg Girasole, in order to develop related products and work in line with the bank’s partners, the broader equity markets as well as Citi Investment Management teams to establish a sound value proposal for investors.

Our Take

Such a move by Citi will likely further boost the world’s most popular cryptocurrency asset’s prospects, at least on grounds that a major bank, with a massive global footprint, is providing cryptocurrency access to its clients.

Citi’s move follows its peer Morgan Stanley’s (MS - Free Report) endeavor to start offering clients access to three bitcoin funds, as reported this March. Earlier in February, The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BK - Free Report) became the first global custody bank to announce plans to form a new unit — Digital Assets — to help its institutional clients hold, transfer and issue digital assets.

In May, it was reported that Goldman Sachs (GS - Free Report) has also forayed into the $1.1-trillion worth Bitcoin arena, garnering access to investors who want to place big bets by launching trading with non-deliverable forwards, i.e., derivatives tied to Bitcoin’s price, which will be cash-settled.

Shares of Citi have rallied 16.7% over the past six months, underperforming the 25.4% gain of the industry it belongs to.

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

Citi currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep America

A massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. It’s bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made.

The only question is “Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?”

Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today it’s free. Discover 7 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.

Download FREE: How to Profit from Trillions on Spending for Infrastructure >>

Published in