Citadel | Crypto

Fin, founded by two former Citadel engineers, raised capital to launch a stablecoin app for cross-border payments as banks and fintechs expand into digital assets. Former Citadel engineers Ian Krotinsky and Aashiq Dheeraj have raised $17 million to launch Fin, a stablecoin-powered payments app designed for high-value cross-border transactions. According to Fortune on Wednesday, the startup, previously known as TipLink, closed the round with backing from Pantera Capital, Sequoia and Samsung Next. Fin plans to pilot the app within the next month, targeting import-export businesses that often move hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time. Built around stablecoin rails, Fin will enable users to send funds to other payment apps, bank accounts, and crypto wallets, aiming to reduce costs compared to traditional wire transfers.  Read more

Ripple’s massive valuation backed by Citadel and Fortress highlights rising Wall Street confidence in blockchain and stablecoin innovation. Blockchain payments company Ripple has been valued at $40 billion following new equity investments from Citadel Securities and Fortress Investment Group, underscoring the growing appeal of blockchain technology among mainstream financial institutions. According to a Financial Times report on Wednesday, Ripple raised $500 million from several investors in its latest funding round, which cemented the lofty valuation. The deal signals a broader shift as established Wall Street firms move to gain exposure to the digital payments and blockchain sector despite ongoing market pressures.  Other investors included hedge fund Brevan Howard and crypto-focused venture capital companies Pantera and Galaxy Digital.  Read more

Ken Griffin and Citadel disclosed multimillion-dollar stakes in DeFi Development Corp., signaling rising institutional interest in Solana-linked assets. Ken Griffin, the billionaire founder and CEO of Citadel, has disclosed a 4.5% stake in DeFi Development Corp. (DFDV), a digital asset treasury company focused on accumulating Solana. According to a Schedule 13G filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Griffin holds just over 1.3 million shares, representing about 4.5% of DeFi Development’s outstanding common stock. Separately, Citadel Advisors LLC and affiliated entities reported ownership of 800,000 DFDV shares, or roughly 2.7% of the company’s outstanding stock. Read more

Citadel Securities has urged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to proceed cautiously with any initiatives that would accelerate the adoption of tokenized securities, warning that a hasty approach could disrupt existing capital markets and marginalize institutional investors. The market-making giant submitted its recommendations in a formal letter to the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, arguing […] The post Citadel urges SEC caution on tokenized securities initiative appeared first on CryptoSlate.

As the US regulator explores streamlined rules for securities tokenization, Citadel Securities urges a focus on meaningful innovation. The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) plan to streamline securities tokenization may sound promising, but it is unlikely to benefit investors unless it delivers genuine innovation and efficiency, according to market maker Citadel Securities. “Tokenized securities must achieve success by delivering real innovation and efficiency to market participants, rather than through self-serving regulatory arbitrage,” Citadel wrote in a statement to the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, as reported by Bloomberg.  Tokenization — the process of representing real-world assets on a blockchain with digital tokens — is often touted for its potential to reduce costs and boost efficiency by minimizing the role of intermediaries, shortening settlement times and enabling fractional ownership of financial assets.  Read more

Former Binance CEO Changpeng (CZ) Zhao’s YZi Labs has invested in Digital Asset, the institutional blockchain platform Canton Network developer. YZi Labs joins a $135 million Series E round that was first announced on June 24 and includes participation from finance incumbents like Goldman Sachs, Citadel Securities, DRW, and the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation […] The post CZ to merge ‘Wall Street and blockchain’ alongside Goldman, DTCC, Citadel appeared first on CryptoSlate.