Citadel Securities Aims to Become a Major Player in Eurozone Bond Trading

Citadel Securities aims to become a significant player in Eurozone government bond trading starting next year after establishing an investment team in Paris and gaining valuable access to German debt auctions. According to reports, the Miami-based high-frequency trading firm, founded by billionaire Ken Griffin, is already a major participant in the U.S. Treasury market and is now targeting a similarly important role in Europe.

According to the firm’s executive leadership, in September, Germany added Citadel Securities to its list of companies allowed to purchase state debt directly in regular auctions—an action seen as a valuable opportunity for the market maker to expand its presence.

Michael de Pass, head of interest rate trading at Citadel Securities, told Financial Times, “We want to be a significant player in European interest rate markets and believe our efforts complement the renewed commitment of the EU to deepen and integrate its capital markets.” He added, “The market structure in Europe remains fragmented and resistant to new entrants, but we are focused on developing our business in a phased and deliberate way.”