In an unexpected turn of events, the reputable Wall Street investment bank, Cowen Inc., has disclosed plans to dismantle its digital assets sector, aptly named Cowen Digital. This operation, a relatively young venture that’s merely 14 months old, was originally designed to give sizable investors a pathway into the tumultuous world of cryptocurrency trading. Cowen Digital’s closure serves as a testament to the current unpredictable climate of the digital assets market.
Cowen Digital arose amidst a significant uptick in cryptocurrency value, showing promise with its offering of 16 diverse crypto assets to large-scale investors, inclusive of the infamous Bitcoin and Ether. The venture harbored grand visions, and ten experienced individuals in the fields of finance and cryptocurrency were employed and tasked with driving and fostering the operation’s growth.
However, this once-promising venture has now drawn to an unforeseen halt. Notably, this disclosure follows closely behind the completed acquisition of Cowen Inc. by TD Bank in March of this year. Although explicit reasons for the closure remain undisclosed, some believe that TD Bank’s acquisition may have been a contributing factor, considering the disparate strategies and objectives of the two firms.
This is not an isolated incident; rather, it signifies a broader trend within Wall Street establishments. The capricious nature of the crypto market has caused many firms to revisit their digital asset plans.
Coincidentally, in an equally impactful development, the Digital Currency Group (DCG), a venture capital conglomerate, has recently declared plans to terminate its prime brokerage subsidiary, TradeBlock. This lends further evidence to the harsh landscape for institutional operations in the crypto market.