Cowen Unveils Digital Assets Unit

Financial services firm Cowen has launched a digital-asset division as it seeks to lead US banks in the growing segment. Called Cowen Digital, the Connecticut-based unit offers cryptocurrency trading for institutional investors, as well as custody solutions via Cowen’s partnership with PolySign’s Standard Custody and Trust Company. Cowen partnered with PolySign last May to offer its clients easier access to crypto. Dan Charney, co-president of the bank, said in a statement that Cowen Digital has been trading crypto on behalf of its clients for several months. The division is currently trading 16 cryptocurrencies including bitcoin, ether, chainlink, uniswap, polygon and decentraland, according to a story in Blockworks news. Cowen Digital will seek to offer financing solutions, derivatives and futures in the future, the company announced, as well as “institutional DeFi and NFT access.” Drew Forman, who has worked as a managing director and head of equity derivatives for the company, will lead Cowen Digital.