Citi is upgrading some of its services for institutional clients using blockchain technology. The banking giant introduced Citi Token Services on Monday, which will tokenize clients' deposits so they can be sent anywhere in the world instantly. The bank is also now using smart contracts to automate the trade process. Citi tested the smart contract capability with shipping and logistics giant Maersk, a client of the bank. While crypto remains in regulatory limbo and prices have been almost stagnant this year, renewed excitement about tokenizing real-world assets using blockchain technology has emerged as one of the hottest topics of the year.

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Persons: Ryan Rugg, Rugg, Bernstein, Hamilton Lane, Franklin Templeton, JPMorgan Chase Organizations: Citi, Citi Token Services, Citi's Treasury, Trade Solutions, Investment, KKR, Securitize, JPMorgan Locations: U.S, Singapore