Citadel Securities, Virtu Financial Building Crypto Trading Platform

Firms say new marketplace addresses the deficiency in the current crypto market structure that’s holding back wider adoption

article-image

Source: Shutterstock

share
  • The trading firms intend to create “more efficient access to deep pools of liquidity for digital assets”
  • New platform to launch either later this year or in early 2023

Market-makers Citadel Securities and Virtu Financial are in the process of building a cryptocurrency trading platform, a source familiar with the matter told Blockworks.

Both firms, along with other industry leaders, “are working closely together to create a crypto marketplace that is efficient, transparent and secure, with agreed upon standards and best practices,” the source said.

“This new trading ecosystem will create more efficient access to deep pools of liquidity for digital assets,” they added.

Citadel Securities, the sister business of hedge fund giant Citadel, is owned by billionaire Ken Griffin. He was earlier known for having an anti-crypto stance, trashing the assets and the efforts of their cheerleaders as a “jihadist call.” But he admitted to changing his mind earlier this year, saying Citadel Securities could soon be involved in digital assets. And in January, crypto-savvy venture capital firms Sequoia and Paradigm invested $1.15 billion in Citadel Securities.

This push into digital assets demonstrates the growing involvement of traditional financial firms in blockchain technology, especially as Web3 disruptions take center stage in the market.

Retail brokerages Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab are helping the trading firms expand access to digital assets by developing a crypto offering, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Also involved in setting up the marketplace are tech-focused venture capital firms Sequoia Capital and Paradigm, CoinDesk reported, citing a source familiar with the plans. Other market makers, wealth managers and industry leaders are expected to join the marketplace before its launch.

The trading consortium is addressing the deficiency in the current crypto market structure that’s holding back wider adoption, CoinDesk said. 

Currently in early-stage development, the trading platform is expected to launch in late 2022 or early next year, according to Bloomberg.

Representatives of Citadel Securities declined to comment. Virtu didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from Blockworks.


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Javits Center North | 445 11th Ave

Tues - Thurs, March 24 - 26, 2026

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Unlocked by Template.png

Research

Institutional staking providers specialize in offering secure, compliant, and scalable solutions for organizations, asset managers, and individuals who wish to stake large volumes of digital assets. Staking-as-a-Service Providers (SaaSPs) act as intermediaries, running blockchain nodes and managing the technical complexities of staking on behalf of clients, often providing custody, reporting, and yield optimization features across a broad range of assets and networks.

article-image

Hashdex CIO says firm’s crypto index fund could one day hold 200 assets

article-image

The deal seeks to boost CoinShares’ US expansion and integrates Bastion’s quantitative strategies into its digital asset platform

by Blockworks /
article-image

The defense argues DOJ is criminalizing open-source code and violating First Amendment protections in landmark crypto case

by Blockworks /
article-image

One issuer reported “high conviction” Solana ETFs would be approved in the first half of October

article-image

Should Congress not pass a budget, the SEC will be operating with a skeleton staff starting Wednesday

article-image

Stablecoin, DePIN and robo-advisor teams made the finals