Crypto.com has raised a $400 million strategic investment from Wall Street market maker Citadel Securities, a deal that values the ten-year-old cryptocurrency exchange at approximately $20 billion. The announcement sent the exchange’s native token, CRO, soaring by nearly 25%.
Prior to the news, CRO traded around $0.056 before rocketing to $0.07. It has since settled above $0.06, though it remains more than 93% below its all-time high of $0.89 set nearly five years ago. The sharp price move reflects immediate market enthusiasm for the tie-up with a major traditional finance liquidity provider.
Crypto.com co-founder and CEO Kris Marszalek underscored the magnitude of the opportunity, stating, “The size of the opportunity in front of us is staggering, as crypto increasingly becomes the rails for finance.” He added that the exchange’s decade-long investment in regulatory and tech infrastructure positions it to capture a new wave of growth across all asset classes, including tokenized securities and derivatives.
Citadel Securities’ President Jim Esposito noted that Crypto.com has built a “foundation to support the continued institutionalization of the digital asset market,” describing the convergence of traditional and crypto infrastructure as an “exciting evolution” that could improve market efficiency.
While the companies confirmed the $400 million figure and Citadel Securities’ participation, terms beyond the $20 billion valuation were not disclosed. The investment underscores deepening institutional interest in digital-asset platforms and may accelerate Crypto.com’s expansion into a 24/7 financial ecosystem bridging cryptocurrencies and traditional markets.
