- US financial services provider State Street has partnered with Swiss crypto firm Taurus to launch new digital asset services, including tokenisation and crypto asset custody, aimed at catering to institutional demand.
- The services will enable asset managers to create tokenised funds and securities, and provide secure storage options for crypto assets.
OUR TAKE
The State Street-Taurus partnership signifies a pivotal moment in the institutionalisation of digital assets, offering a bridge between traditional finance and the burgeoning crypto sector. By facilitating tokenisation and providing secure custodial services, State Street is paving the way for wider institutional adoption and regulatory clarity.
–Vicky Wu, BTW reporter
What happened
US financial services giant State Street has announced a partnership with Swiss cryptocurrency firm Taurus to launch new digital asset services. The collaboration aims to cater to the growing institutional demand for investments in digital assets. Through the partnership, State Street will offer services that include holding clients’ crypto assets and assisting them in creating tokenised assets, such as funds and other securities. The service will be geared towards asset management clients looking for assistance in tokenising their funds.
Tokenisation involves converting ownership rights to traditional assets into digital tokens on a blockchain, which proponents argue increases transparency and security, making assets easier to trade.
Donna Milrod, Chief Product Officer at State Street and Head of Digital Asset Solutions, stated that the new service is tailored for asset management clients who seek assistance in tokenising their funds. “We need to provide our clients the ability to deal with both traditional finance as well as (digital assets) side by side,” she said.
State Street is also responding to the requirement from institutions for reliable custodians like banks to safeguard their crypto assets, as opposed to crypto exchanges or wallet providers, which may have less rigorous security measures.
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Why it’s important
The partnership between State Street and Taurus marks a significant step forward in the institutional adoption of digital assets. It reflects the increasing interest from large financial institutions seeking to hedge against inflation and diversify their portfolios through cryptocurrencies. As major players like BlackRock and others explore tokenised funds and other digital asset products, the move by State Street underscores the growing acceptance and integration of cryptocurrencies within mainstream financial systems.
Furthermore, the partnership highlights the evolving role of traditional financial institutions in the digital asset space. By offering custodial services and tokenisation capabilities, State Street is positioning itself as a trusted partner for institutions entering the crypto market. This development could pave the way for broader adoption of digital assets among institutional investors, potentially leading to increased stability and regulation within the crypto industry.
