Nasdaq Establishes Crypto Unit — Sees Increased Demand for Digital Assets Among Institutional Investors

Nasdaq has announced the launch of “Nasdaq Digital Assets” citing increased demand for digital assets among institutional investors in recent years. Initially, the new crypto unit will offer custody solutions for bitcoin and ether to institutional investors.

Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ), the world’s second-largest stock exchange, announced Tuesday the launch of a new business called “Nasdaq Digital Assets.” Initially, Nasdaq Digital Assets will develop an institutional-grade custody solution, the announcement details, adding:

Nasdaq’s custody solution will bring together the best attributes of hot and cold crypto wallets.

Tal Cohen, head of North American Markets at Nasdaq, told Bloomberg that the new crypto group will initially offer custody services for bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) to institutional investors.

Ira Auerbach, who ran prime broker services at cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, will lead the new unit. Nasdaq’s offering is subject to regulatory approval in applicable jurisdictions.

Adena Friedman, president and CEO of Nasdaq, explained: “Nasdaq Digital Assets builds upon the successful solutions we have introduced in recent years to serve the digital assets ecosystem, including marketplace technology for digital asset exchanges, crypto-native anti-financial crime offerings, and crypto-related index solutions for tradable products.”

Cohen noted:

Demand among institutional investors for engaging in digital assets has increased in recent years, and Nasdaq is well-positioned to accelerate broader adoption and drive sustainable growth.

Nasdaq also announced Tuesday the expansion of its “anti-financial crime technology with new capabilities and coverage for the cryptocurrency ecosystem.”

The company detailed:

Through its Verafin and Surveillance product offerings, Nasdaq has launched a comprehensive suite of crypto-specific detection capabilities.

The new tools will allow the company “to effectively mitigate risks and provide continuous monitoring of anti-money laundering, fraud detection, and market abuse across traditional and digital assets, fiat and crypto, and on- and off-chain activities,” the announcement notes.

“As the world of digital assets evolves and converges with traditional finance, it is crucial to provide the necessary portfolio of technology solutions designed to safeguard participants across the financial ecosystem,” said Jamie King, head of Anti-Financial Crime at Nasdaq.

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