Citi collaborates with SDX to build a private stock tokenization platform, expected to launch in Q3/2025, aiming to simplify investment and increase liquidity.
Citi has announced a breakthrough in financial technology through collaboration with SDX Group to develop a private stock tokenization platform, as shared at the Point Zero Zurich Forum on 5/6. This initiative aims to reform the approach and trading in the private market, which currently operates with complex manual processes.
The project, expected to launch in Q3/2025, will position Citi in a dual role – both as a Custodian and a Tokenization agent on SDX's blockchain infrastructure. The bank will perform tokenization, payment, and asset custody on the digital Central Securities Depositary (CSD) platform, focusing on bringing pre-IPO equities to institutional and qualified investors.
Comprehensive Solution for the Private Market
The new solution combines Citi's global capabilities in securities services with SDX's managed digital infrastructure – a member of the SIX Group operating under Switzerland's strict legal framework. SDX currently provides licensed digital asset market infrastructure through SDX Trading AG and SIX Digital Exchange AG, and offers crypto custody and staking services for organizations via SDX Web3 AG.
"We are delighted to welcome Citi to the SDX platform and jointly deploy a milestone project in private equity tokenization," said David Newns, SDX Director.
This platform will help investors more effectively access shares of high-growth private companies, while providing issuers with better tools to control capitalization tables and simplify liquidation events for early shareholders.
Ryan Marsh, Director of Innovation & Strategic Partnerships for Investor Services and Issuer Services at Citi, emphasized: "As a digital Custodian and Tokenization agent on the SDX platform, Citi will support global investor and issuer clients across the entire chain of services related to tokenized assets. As tokenization expands in scale, we are meeting client needs for accessing emerging and practical digital asset ecosystems."
The initiative is further strengthened through partnerships with Sygnum and SBI Digital Markets, expanding customer reach in Europe and Asia, and enhancing global connectivity for the digital asset ecosystem in Switzerland.
