At the Point Zero Forum in Switzerland, Citi, a preeminent banking partner, and SDX Group AG (SDX) announced their partnership to address the issues that global issuers and investors have with traditional private markets.
Through this initiative, Citi functions as a tokenization agent and custodian to tokenize late-stage pre-IPO equities, which then become accessible on SDX’s fully regulated digital Central Securities Depository platform. The new development enables qualified institutional investors to access high-growth venture-backed firms through an easy-to-use, compliant system despite traditional market limitations that have previously prevented them from participating.
The platform, created by integrating SDX blockchain technology with Citi’s securities services expertise, aims to transform a sector dominated by manual processes into a digital and modern system. The alliance affirms Switzerland’s role as a prime location for developing digital financial services.
“We are excited to welcome Citi to the SDX platform and together deliver this landmark project in the tokenization of private shares,” said Head of SDX, David Newns.
The initiative helps drive broader positive effects, according to Citi’s statements. Mami McManus, who serves as Citi’s Country Officer and Head of Banking for Switzerland, Monaco & Liechtenstein, stated, “Switzerland’s regulatory framework and SDX’s infrastructure allow Citi to bring a new solution to market using technology to solve for challenges in private markets for issuers and investors.”
This collaboration positions Switzerland as a dynamic digital finance innovation center. Global digital assets bank Sygnum partnered with Singapore-based SBI Digital Markets to extend the initiative’s continental reach by establishing platforms to connect European and Asian investors.
As tokenization gains momentum, the Citi-SDX alliance is set to pave the way for a new era in private market investment.
Also read: Stablecoins Market Cap Could Hit $1.6T by 2030: Citigroup
