Citibank’s “Securities Services Evolution” Whitepaper Reveals Bullish Factors for Crypto
Citibank has released a whitepaper called “Securities Services Evolution” that analyzes the evolving landscape of securities services and the broader securities market ecosystem. The report draws insights from data collected from various financial market infrastructures, fintech firms, banks, and industry players. In this latest release, Citibank highlights three factors that could drive the growth of the crypto market:
1. Rapidly Growing Interest in Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT): According to the report, 74% of respondents are engaging in DLT and digital asset activities, a significant increase from the previous year. This indicates a growing momentum for DLT adoption.
2. Increasing Adoption of Digital Asset Offerings: The report reveals that 38% of market participants currently offer digital asset services, compared to 22% for DLT. This suggests a growing acceptance and implementation of digital assets in the securities market.
3. Growing Confidence in Digital Money: The survey found that 87% of respondents see digital money, including central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins, as a strong means to support securities settlement. This indicates a rapidly evolving landscape for digital currencies.
However, the report also highlights potential challenges for the securities ecosystem, particularly the need for accelerated settlement. 77% of respondents expect a substantial impact on their business due to the move to T+1 settlement. To prepare for this change, participants are prioritizing client communications, technology platforms, and automation.
In summary, Citibank’s whitepaper suggests that the crypto market could experience significant growth due to the increasing interest in DLT, the adoption of digital asset offerings, and growing confidence in digital money for securities settlement.
Hot Take
Citibank’s whitepaper provides valuable insights into the potential drivers and challenges for the crypto market. The growing interest in DLT and digital assets, along with the confidence in digital money for securities settlement, indicates a positive outlook for the future of cryptocurrencies. However, market participants must also address the challenges posed by accelerated settlement and prioritize innovation and automation to stay ahead in the evolving securities ecosystem.