{{Short description|American hedge fund and financial services provider}} {{About|the hedge fund|the market maker|Citadel Securities|the military college|The Citadel|other uses|Citadel (disambiguation)|and|The Citadel (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}} {{Infobox company | name = Citadel LLC | logo = Citadel LLC Logo.svg | logo_size = 250px | logo_alt = | image = 830_Brickell_Construction,_Miami_April_2024_C.jpg | image_size = 250px | image_caption = Headquarters at 830 Brickell Plaza | type = Private | industry = Financial services | founded = {{Start date and age|1990}} in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | predecessor = {{unbulleted list|Wellington Financial (1990–1994)|Citadel Investment Group (1994–2013)}} | founder = Kenneth Griffin | location = 830 Brickell Plaza, Miami, Florida, U.S. | key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Kenneth Griffin (CEO & Co-CIO)|Pablo Salame (Co-CIO)|Gerald A. Beeson (COO)}} | owner = Kenneth Griffin (85%)<ref>{{cite news |date=2019 |title=Ken Griffin Bloomberg |work=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/kenneth-c-griffin/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820135523/https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/kenneth-c-griffin/ |archive-date=August 20, 2020}}</ref> | num_employees = 3,153 (2024)<ref name="pio">{{cite web |url=https://www.pionline.com/alternatives/millennium-citadel-bolster-staff-size-biggest-hedge-funds-keep-growing/ |title=Millennium, Citadel bolster staff size as biggest hedge funds keep growing |date=9 April 2025 |website=Pensions & Investments |last=Tomkiw |first=Lydia}}</ref> | products = Alternative investments | revenue = | subsid = | rating = S&P Global: BBB−<ref name="RatingCBonds">{{cite web |title=S&P Global Ratings affirms Citadel at "BBB" (Foreign Currency LT credit rating); outlook stable |url=https://cbonds.com/news/3249401/ |website=Cbonds |date=30 January 2025}}</ref> | homepage = {{URL|https://www.citadel.com|citadel.com}} | aum = {{US$|65.9 billion}} (2025)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/chris-hohns-tci-tops-hedge-fund-gains-2025 |title=Chris Hohn’s TCI Tops Hedge Fund Gains in 2025 |date=January 19, 2026 |work=Institutional Investor |last=Celarier |first=Michelle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212092307/https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/chris-hohns-tci-tops-hedge-fund-gains-2025 |archive-date=February 12, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> }}
'''Citadel LLC''' (formerly known as '''Citadel Investment Group, LLC''') is an American multinational hedge fund and financial services company. Founded in 1990 by Kenneth Griffin, it has more than $67 billion in assets under management {{as of|2026|1|lc=y}}.<ref name="bloomberg-67-billion">{{cite news |last1=Burton |first1=Katherine |title=Citadel to Return $5 Billion of Hedge Fund’s Profits to Clients |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-23/citadel-to-return-5-billion-of-hedge-fund-s-profits-to-clients |publisher=Bloomberg |date=23 December 2025}}</ref> The company has over 3,100 employees,<ref name="pio" /> with corporate headquarters in Miami, Florida,<ref name="hq">{{cite web |url=https://www.citadel.com/about-citadel/ |title=About Citadel |website=Citadel |access-date=23 August 2022 |quote=Miami Global Headquarters Southeast Financial Center 200 S. Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33131}}</ref>{{r|pio|page=1}} and offices throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. Founder, CEO and Co-CIO Griffin owns approximately 85% of the firm.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bloomberg Billionaires Index |work=Bloomberg L.P. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/kenneth-c-griffin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820135523/https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/kenneth-c-griffin/ |archive-date=August 20, 2020}}</ref> As of December 2025, Citadel has posted $90.4 billion in net gains since its inception in 1990, making one of the "most successful hedge funds in history," according to LCH Investments,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ken Griffin |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/ken-griffin/ |website=Forbes |date=29 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Hank |title=Hedge Fund Billionaire Chris Hohn’s TCI Profited By A Record $18.9 Billion In 2025 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hanktucker/2026/01/18/hedge-fund-billionaire-chris-hohns-tci-profited-by-a-record-189-billion-in-2025/ |publisher=Forbes |date=18 January 2026}}</ref> and CNBC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Hank |title=Citadel's $16 Billion Gain In 2022 Makes Ken Griffin's Flagship The Top-Earning Hedge Fund Ever |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hanktucker/2023/01/22/citadels-16-billion-gain-in-2022-makes-ken-griffins-firm-the-top-earning-hedge-fund-ever/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Karen |date=2024-01-23 |title=World's largest hedge funds record bumper year of profits, research shows |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/23/worlds-largest-hedge-funds-record-bumper-year-of-profits.html |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>
Citadel LLC is legally distinct from the market maker Citadel Securities, although both were founded and are owned by Griffin and remain under common ownership structures.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Matt |last2=Kelly |first2=Kate |date=2021-02-18 |title=A Shadowy but Powerful Wall St. Firm Has Its Moment in Washington |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/business/citadel-game-stop-hearing.html |access-date=2022-05-05 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In January 2022, Citadel Securities raised $1.15 billion from Sequoia Capital and Paradigm at a valuation of $22 billion, in its first outside investment since its founding.<ref>{{cite news |date=11 January 2022 |title=Citadel Securities valued at $22 billion after investment from Sequoia, Paradigm |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/11/citadel-securities-valued-at-22-billion-after-investment-from-sequoia-paradigm.html |access-date=2026-05-22 |newspaper=CNBC}}</ref>
== History ==
=== Founding, 1990–2000 === Griffin started his trading career out of his dorm room at Harvard University in 1987, trading convertible bonds.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Strasburg |first1=Jenny |last2=Zuckerman |first2=Gregory |title=Hedge Fund Selling Puts New Stress on Market |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 7, 2008 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122602205734807307 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903143845/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122602205734807307 |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> As a sophomore, he hooked a satellite dish to the roof of his dormitory.<ref>{{cite news |last=Meyer |first=Graham |date=8 June 2011 |title=The File on Citadel's Ken Griffin |language=en |work=Chicago Magazine |department=Politics & City Life |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2011/The-File-on-Citadels-Ken-Griffin/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214003226/https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2011/The-File-on-Citadels-Ken-Griffin/ |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |issn=0362-4595}}</ref> After graduating with a degree in economics, Griffin joined Chicago-based hedge fund Glenwood Partners. Citadel was started with $4.6 million in capital.<ref name="Dream">{{cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Azam |last2=Craig |first2=Susanne |date=11 August 2011 |title=Citadel Chief Gives Up Dream for Investment Bank |language=en |work=The New York Times |department=DealBook |location=United States |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/08/11/citadel-chief-gives-up-dream-for-investment-bank/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=25 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016135240/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/08/11/citadel-chief-gives-up-dream-for-investment-bank/ |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |issn=1553-8095}}</ref> Citadel was originally named Wellington Financial Group after its flagship fund. The company name was changed to Citadel in 1994. Within eight years, the firm had more than $2 billion in assets under management.<ref name="InstitutionalInvestor2001August31LuxHal">{{cite news |last=Lux |first=Hal |date=31 August 2001 |title=Boy Wonder |language=en |work=The Institutional Investor. Cfo Directory |location=United States |url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b15134ls4fblx7/boy-wonder |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221235604/https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b15134ls4fblx7/boy-wonder |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |issn=0020-3580}}</ref>
In 1998, Citadel started requiring investors to accept terms that "significantly restrict[ed] their ability to withdraw their capital," according to ''Institutional Investor''.<ref name="InstitutionalInvestor2001August31LuxHal" /> When hedge fund Long Term Capital Management collapsed later that year, Citadel's capital lockdown made it "a rare buyer, as desperate hedge funds unloaded bond inventory".<ref name="InstitutionalInvestor2001August31LuxHal" />
=== 2001–2010 === In 2001, Griffin began recruiting the energy traders from Enron the day after it collapsed for a new business including "a team of traders, meteorologists and researchers" building amongst the industry's biggest energy trading groups at the time.<ref name="Dream" />
In 2006, Citadel and JPMorgan Chase took over the energy portfolio and division of failed hedge fund Amaranth Advisors, which had suffered a 65% ($6 billion) loss in assets. In November 2006, Citadel issued $2 billion of investment-grade bonds to borrow money at a lower rate than otherwise able.
In 2007, Citadel invested $2.5 billion in E-Trade. This transaction included acquiring E-Trade's securitized subprime mortgages, collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), and second lien loans, as well as 12.5% senior unsecured notes, and 84,687,686 shares of common stock (equal to 19.99% of the then currently outstanding shares). Citadel received a seat on the board of directors.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015780/000095010307002929/dp07754_ex9901.htm |title=E*TRADE Financial Announces $2.5 Billion Investment Led by Citadel |publisher=E*Trade Financial |via=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=November 29, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-11-30-0711291062-story.html |title=Citadel boosts E-Trade stake with $2.5 billion investment |first=Becky |last=Yerak |work=Chicago Tribune |date=November 30, 2007}}</ref> Citadel sold its remaining stake in E*Trade in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-etrade-citadel-sale/citadel-to-sell-its-remaining-stake-in-etrade-idINBRE92C1GG20130313 |title=Citadel to sell its remaining stake in E*Trade |newspaper=Reuters |date=March 13, 2013}}</ref>
During the 2008 financial crisis, for 10 months, Griffin barred his investors from withdrawing money, attracting criticism.<ref name="farbehind">{{cite news |last=Copeland |first=Rob |title=Citadel's Ken Griffin Leaves 2008 Tumble Far Behind |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadels-ken-griffin-leaves-2008-tumble-far-behind-1438655887 |url-status=live |date=August 3, 2015 |url-access=subscription |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213184817/https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadels-ken-griffin-leaves-2008-tumble-far-behind-1438655887}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-12-13-0812120300-story.html |title=Citadel suspends fund redemptions |first=Joshua |last=Boak |work=Chicago Tribune |date=December 13, 2008 |url-access=limited}}</ref> At the peak of the crisis, the firm was losing "hundreds of millions of dollars each week".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ae51320a-1a24-11e3-93e8-00144feab7de |title=Citadel chief rails against megabanks |work=Financial Times |date=September 10, 2013 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was leveraged 7:1 and the biggest funds at Citadel finished 2008 down 55%. However, they rebounded with a 62% return in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |title=The File on Citadel's Ken Griffin |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2011/The-File-on-Citadels-Ken-Griffin/ |last=Meyer |first=Graham |work=Chicago |date=June 8, 2011 |issn=0362-4595 |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214003226/https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2011/The-File-on-Citadels-Ken-Griffin/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== 2011–2020 === On January 17, 2012, Citadel's flagship funds, Citadel Kensington Global Strategies Fund Ltd and Citadel Wellington LLC, crossed their respective high watermarks, earning back the 50% of assets lost during the 2008 financial crisis.<ref name="Clears">{{cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Azam |date=20 January 2012 |title=Citadel Clears Its High Water Mark |work=The New York Times |department=DealBook |location=United States |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/citadel-clears-its-high-water-mark/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023022130/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/citadel-clears-its-high-water-mark/ |archive-date=October 23, 2015 |issn=1553-8095}}</ref> Having made up the losses, Citadel could once again charge client fees for managing their money and take a percentage of profits.<ref name="Clears" /> Citadel under Griffin's leadership was reported as differentiating from hedge funds rivals post-2008 financial crisis with an "aggressive expansion".<ref name="WSJ2015August3CopelandRob" /> Starting at the beginning of 2014, over an 18 months period the hedge fund's assets under management increased $10 billion; from $16 billion to $26 billion as a result of "a 29% rise for its main hedge funds and a flow of new cash".<ref name="WSJ2015August3CopelandRob">{{cite news |last=Copeland |first=Rob |date=3 August 2015 |title=Citadel's Ken Griffin Leaves 2008 Tumble Far Behind |language=en |work=The Wall Street Journal. Eastern Edition |department=Markets |location=United States |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadels-ken-griffin-leaves-2008-tumble-far-behind-1438655887 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213184817/https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadels-ken-griffin-leaves-2008-tumble-far-behind-1438655887 |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> In January 2020, Citadel Securities paid a $97 million settlement to China, after Chinese regulators ended a long-standing investigation into Citadel and other companies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Citadel Securities Pays $97m to Settle with China Regulators |date=January 20, 2020 |url=https://www.financemagnates.com/institutional-forex/regulation/citadel-securities-fined-97m-in-china-for-malicious-short-selling/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728152703/https://www.financemagnates.com/institutional-forex/regulation/citadel-securities-fined-97m-in-china-for-malicious-short-selling/ |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |access-date=January 21, 2020}}</ref>
In 2014, Citadel became the first foreign hedge fund to complete a yuan fundraising as part of a program to allow Chinese investors to invest in overseas hedge funds.<ref name="barrons">{{cite news |last=Bill Alpert |date=February 28, 2015 |title=Exclusive: Who Makes Money on Your Stock Trades |url=http://online.barrons.com/articles/SB51367578116875004693704580480163105061670 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802201325/http://online.barrons.com/articles/SB51367578116875004693704580480163105061670 |archive-date=August 2, 2015 |access-date=July 27, 2015 |work=Barron's}}</ref>
In July 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, Citadel created a "bubble" for a class of 100 interns by renting out a luxury resort in Wisconsin.<ref>{{cite web |last=Saacks |first=Bradley |title=How $34 billion hedge fund Citadel rented out a five-star resort for a month to pull off an in-person summer internship 'bubble' for more than 100 college students |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/citadel-remote-summer-internship-wisconsin-resort-palm-beach-2020-8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830175237/https://www.businessinsider.com/citadel-remote-summer-internship-wisconsin-resort-palm-beach-2020-8 |archive-date=August 30, 2020 |access-date=2020-09-06 |website=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Shazar |first=Jon |title=Ken's Kwarantine Kamp Opens Kohler Location For Eager Interns |url=https://dealbreaker.com/2020/08/citadel-internship-wisconsin |access-date=2020-09-09 |website=Dealbreaker |date=August 31, 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Echikson |first1=Julia |last2=Mazzei |first2=Patricia |date=2020-04-07 |title=No Trading Floor? No Problem. A Financial Firm Quarantines at the Four Seasons. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/us/coronavirus-citadel-securities-four-seasons-florida.html |url-status=live |access-date=2020-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014184835/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/us/coronavirus-citadel-securities-four-seasons-florida.html |archive-date=October 14, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
==== Former companies ==== Citadel Solutions was Citadel's fund administration arm.<ref name="WSJ2009March6StrasburgJenny">{{cite news |last=Strasburg |first=Jenny |date=6 March 2009 |title=Lower Fees on Citadel's New Fund |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123630573986048063 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218014806/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123630573986048063 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |access-date=17 December 2019 |work=The Wall Street Journal. Eastern Edition |location=United States |language=en |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> The company changed its name to Omnium in 2009<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-09-10 |title=Citadel Solutions changes name to Omnium - Hedgeweek |url=https://www.hedgeweek.com/citadel-solutions-changes-name-omnium/ |access-date=2025-09-15 |language=en-GB}}</ref> and was sold to Northern Trust in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touryalai |first=Halah |title=What Citadel's Sale Of Omnium Means For Hedge Fund Investors |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/halahtouryalai/2011/05/16/what-citadels-sale-of-omnium-means-for-hedge-fund-investors/ |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
Citadel Technology, established in 2009, was a wholly owned and independently operated affiliate of Citadel.<ref name="wallstreettech">{{cite magazine |last=Schmerken, Ivy |date=25 September 2013 |title=REDI and Citadel Technology Tackle the "Holy Grail" |url=http://www.wallstreetandtech.com/asset-management/redi-and-citadel-technology-tackle-the--holy-grail-/d/d-id/1268435? |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226154918/http://www.wallstreetandtech.com/asset-management/redi-and-citadel-technology-tackle-the--holy-grail-/d/d-id/1268435 |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=26 February 2015 |magazine=InformationWeek}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=20 April 2013 |title=Citadel Carves Out Technology Niche |url=http://marketsmedia.com/citadel-carves-out-technology-niche/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226155355/http://marketsmedia.com/citadel-carves-out-technology-niche/ |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=26 February 2015 |publisher=Markets Media}}</ref> It offered investment management technology, developed internally at Citadel, to a wide range of firms and funds.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 19, 2013 |title=Citadel technology preps end to end solutions suite |url=http://www.waterstechnology.com/buy-side-technology/analysis/2255916/citadel-technology-preps-endtoend-solutions-suite |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226154601/http://www.waterstechnology.com/buy-side-technology/analysis/2255916/citadel-technology-preps-endtoend-solutions-suite |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=26 February 2015 |publisher=Waters Technology}}</ref> In 2013, Citadel Technology announced a partnership with REDI. The partnership combines Citadel's order management system (OMS) with REDI's execution management capabilities (EMS).<ref name="wallstreettech" />
Aptigon Capital was formed in 2016 after Citadel LLC hired 17 portfolio managers from its rival Visium Asset Management which was in the process of closing down.<ref name="Visium">{{cite news |last1=Copeland |first1=Rob |date=July 20, 2016 |title=Citadel Hiring About 17 Portfolio Managers From Shuttered Hedge Fund Visium |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadel-hiring-about-17-portfolio-managers-from-shuttered-hedge-fund-visium-1469042756 |access-date=7 May 2023 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Herbst-Bayliss2019">{{cite news |last1=Herbst-Bayliss |first1=Svea |date=7 March 2019 |title=Citadel to close Aptigon stock unit, Felder leaves: sources |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hedgefunds-citadel/citadel-to-close-aptigon-stock-unit-felder-leaves-sources-idUSKCN1QO224 |access-date=7 May 2023 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> It was originally led by Richard Schimel until he left Citadel in 2018; being replaced by Eric Felder.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Picker |first1=Leslie |date=February 22, 2018 |title=Citadel let go of one of its star investors because of performance |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/22/citadel-let-go-of-one-of-its-star-traders-because-of-performance.html |access-date=7 May 2023 |work=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> Felder led the unit until its closure in 2019 after Felder's departure from the company.<ref name="Herbst-Bayliss2019" />
=== 2021–present === In January 2021, Citadel and Point72 Asset Management invested $2.75 billion in Melvin Capital, after Melvin Capital lost 53% of its value owing to the GameStop short squeeze.<ref name="chung">{{cite news |last=Chung |first=Juliet |date=2021-01-25 |title=The Wall Street Journal News Exclusive {{!}} Citadel, Point72 to Invest $2.75 Billion Into Melvin Capital Management |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadel-point72-to-invest-2-75-billion-into-melvin-capital-management-11611604340 |access-date=2021-01-25 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McCabe |first=Caitlin |date=2021-01-14 |title=GameStop Stock Soars, and Social-Media Traders Claim Victory |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gamestop-stock-soars-and-social-media-traders-claim-victory-11610653679 |access-date=2021-01-23 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Chung |first=Juliet |date=2021-01-22 |title=The Wall Street Journal News Exclusive {{!}} Short Bets Pummel Hot Hedge Fund Melvin Capital |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/short-bets-pummel-hot-hedge-fund-melvin-capital-11611349217 |access-date=2021-01-23 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2021-01-25 |title=Ken Griffin's $2 billion bet |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/finance-banking/ken-griffins-2-billion-bet |access-date=2021-01-25 |website=Crain's Chicago Business |language=en}}</ref>
In 2021, Citadel ranked second among the top money managers for net gains.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Nishant |date=17 January 2022 |title=These Are the World's Top Hedge Funds for 2021 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-17/tci-leads-top-hedge-funds-creating-record-65-4-billion-in-gains |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220117073718/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-17/tci-leads-top-hedge-funds-creating-record-65-4-billion-in-gains |archive-date=17 January 2022 |publisher=Bloomberg.com}}</ref>
In a letter to employees on June 23, 2022, Griffin announced they would be moving their headquarters to Miami, Florida, due to a more favorable business climate and increased crime complaints in Chicago.<ref name="ChicagoBusinessExodus1">{{cite news |last1=McCormick |first1=John |last2=Chung |first2=Juliet |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ken-griffin-moving-citadel-from-chicago-to-miami-following-crime-complaints-11655994600 |title=Ken Griffin Moving Citadel From Chicago to Miami Following Crime Complaints |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=2022-06-23 |access-date=2022-06-23}}</ref><ref name="ChicagoBusinessExodus2">{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9a25dc71-d26f-43b0-87cb-9bff3b9746c9 |newspaper=Financial Times |title=Ken Griffin's Citadel ditches Chicago for Miami following crime complaints |quote=Hedge fund is latest US company to depart Illinois in less than two months |access-date=November 9, 2022}}</ref><ref name="ChicagoBusinessExodus3">{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-23/-punch-in-the-gut-for-chicago-griffin-citadel-move-stuns-city |title=Ken Griffin's Citadel Move Is 'Punch in the Gut' for Chicago |author=Shruti Singh |publisher=Bloomberg |date=June 23, 2022 |access-date=November 9, 2022}}</ref>
In December 2022, Citadel signed a deal with Vornado Realty Trust and Rudin Management Co. to master lease a new $1.2 billion, {{convert|1500|ft|m}} office tower to be constructed on Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan to serve as Citadel's new New York City headquarters.<ref name=ParkAvenueNYCHeadquarters>{{cite web|url=https://www.globest.com/2022/12/13/vornado-reaches-deal-to-build-1-2b-park-avenue-tower/?amp=1|title=Vornado Reaches Deal to Build $1.2B Park Avenue Tower|author=Jack Rogers|publisher=ALM Global|date=December 13, 2022|access-date=March 16, 2024}}</ref>
In 2022, Citadel's hedge fund unit posted its record year of revenues to date, generating about $28 billion in revenue.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 5, 2023 |title=Citadel posts record revenues for hedge fund, securities ops in 2022 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-funds-citadel-idCAL4N33Q371 |newspaper=Reuters}}</ref> Citadel returned $16 billion to its clients in 2022, which was a record annual return for both the fund of American investor Kenneth Griffin and the entire industry. In addition, this allowed Citadel to overtake Bridgewater in the list of the most profitable hedge funds in history according to experts from LCH Investments.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kirill Sarkhanyants |date=2023-01-23 |title=Citadel becomes the most profitable hedge fund in history |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/5783572}}</ref>
In 2023, Citadel returned about $7 billion in profits to its clients, which amounted to about a 15% return for its flagship fund.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Rudegeair |first=Peter |title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} Citadel Is Handing Back About $7 Billion in Profits to Clients |url=https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/citadel-is-handing-back-about-7-billion-in-profits-to-clients-ee573657 |access-date=2024-03-26 |work=WSJ |language=en-US}}</ref>
In June 2024, Citadel agreed to purchase Japanese power company Energy Grid. The transaction was the first major US investment in Japan's wholesale energy market in the past few years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bridge |first1=Anton |title=Citadel to buy power firm Energy Grid in first Japanese acqusition |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/citadel-buy-power-firm-energy-grid-first-japanese-acquisition-2024-06-27/ |publisher=Reuters |date=27 June 2024}}</ref>
As of June 2024, Citadel managed more than $63 billion in capital and was one of the world's largest asset managers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saacks |first=Alex Morrell, Bradley |title=In a rare stumble, Citadel loses money in May as peers gain. Here's how hedge funds performed last month. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/may-hedge-fund-returns-citadel-trailed-rivals-while-schonfeld-surged-2024-6 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kolhatkar, Sheelah |date=16 April 2007 |title=Opening Up the Citadel |url=http://upstart.bizjournals.com/executives/features/2007/04/16/opening-up-the-citadel.html?page=all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226151755/http://upstart.bizjournals.com/executives/features/2007/04/16/Opening-Up-the-Citadel.html?page=all |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=24 February 2015 |work=Upstart Business Journal}}</ref> In 2023 Citadel was ranked the second largest multi-strategy hedge fund globally.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-22 |title=Hedge Funds Cap a Bumper Year for Profits |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-22/hedge-funds-cap-bumper-year-for-profits-tci-citadel-lead-pack |access-date=2024-03-26 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref> Citadel's group of hedge funds rank among the largest and most successful hedge funds in the world.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Allen, Susie |last2=Huang, Wen |date=15 July 2014 |title=Two new members elected to University of Chicago Board of Trustees |url=http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2014/07/15/two-new-members-elected-university-chicago-board-trustees |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210072517/http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2014/07/15/two-new-members-elected-university-chicago-board-trustees |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |access-date=24 February 2015 |work=U Chicago News}}</ref>
In March 2025, Citadel purchased Paloma Natural Gas (now Apex Natural Gas) for about $1 billion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Krishna Kumar |first1=Devika |title=Citadel’s Apex Said to Buy US Gas Assets from Comstock, Azul |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-04/citadel-s-apex-said-to-buy-gas-assets-from-jerry-jones-comstock |publisher=Bloomberg |date=4 December 2025}}</ref>
In September 2025, Citadel announced it would take office space atop Boston's new South Station Tower.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 September 2025 |title=Citadel Takes Offices Atop Boston's New South Station Tower |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-26/citadel-takes-offices-atop-boston-s-new-south-station-tower |access-date=2026-05-22 |newspaper=Bloomberg News}}</ref>
In October 2025, Citadel LLC announced it would acquire German power trading firm, FlexPower.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Krishna Kumar |first1=Devika |last2=Tetley |first2=Liza |last3=Sorge |first3=Petra |title=Citadel Boosts European Power Trading With Purchase of FlexPower |url=https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/citadel-boosts-european-power-trading-with-purchase-of-flexpower |website=Financial Post}}</ref>
In October 2025, Citadel agreed to acquire FlexPower, a Hamburg-based renewable energy trading firm founded in 2022 that specializes in trading and risk management solutions across six European countries. It manages over 1,700 megawatts of power capacity. The acquisition, the terms of which were not disclosed, was part of Citadel's broader expansion in the global energy and commodities markets and followed the earlier acquisition of Paloma Natural Gas LLC in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 October 2025 |title=Citadel Boosts European Power Trading With Purchase of FlexPower |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-13/citadel-boosts-european-power-trading-with-purchase-of-flexpower |access-date=2026-05-22 |newspaper=Bloomberg News}}</ref>
Citadel's assets under management (AUM) increased to $67 billion at the start of 2026, and they returned approximately $5 billion to investors.<ref name="bloomberg-67-billion" />
== Activities == === Investment strategies === Citadel manages funds across equities, commodities, fixed income, quantitative strategies, and credit.<ref name="dealbooknytimes">{{cite web |last=Michael J. De La Merced |date=January 10, 2013 |title=Citadel Posted 25% Return Last Year, Beating Industry Again |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/citadel-posted-25-return-last-year-beating-industry-again/?_r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916053210/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/citadel-posted-25-return-last-year-beating-industry-again/?_r=1 |archive-date=September 16, 2017 |access-date=July 27, 2015 |publisher=DealBook}}</ref>
=== Reinsurance === In 2004, Citadel founded CIG Reinsurance Ltd (CIG Re), a Bermuda-based catastrophe reinsurer providing $450 million in capital.<ref name="WSJ2005July27AnandShefali">{{cite news |last=Anand |first=Shefali |date=27 July 2005 |title=Looking Afield, Hedge Funds Launch Reinsurance Firms |language=en |work=The Wall Street Journal. Eastern Edition |department=Markets |location=United States |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB112242824590496964 |url-access=subscription |access-date=14 December 2019 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> Citadel additionally founded $500 million reinsurer New Castle Re in 2005, seeking to capitalize on rising prices for reinsurance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's damage to property coverage costs.<ref name="MarketWatch2005November4BarrAlistair">{{cite news |last=Barr |first=Alistair |date=4 November 2005 |title=Citadel forms new reinsurer – New Castle Re targets catastrophe reinsurance, AM Best says |language=en |publisher=MarketWatch |location=San Francisco, United States |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/citadel-forms-new-reinsurer-new-castle-re-am-best-says |url-status=live |access-date=14 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214162613/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/citadel-forms-new-reinsurer-new-castle-re-am-best-says |archive-date=December 14, 2019}}</ref><ref name="NewYorkTimes2006August18AndersonaugJenny">{{cite news |last=Andersonaug |first=Jenny |date=18 August 2006 |title=Hedge Funds Place Big Bets on Hurricane Season |language=en |page=C7 |work=The New York Times |department=Business Day – Insider |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/18/business/18insider.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=14 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214162424/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/18/business/18insider.html |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |issn=1553-8095}}</ref><ref name="Reuters2008November7ZuillLilla">{{cite news |last1=Zuill |first1=Lilla |last2=Orr |first2=Bernard |date=7 November 2008 |title=Hedge fund Citadel shuttering Bermuda reinsurer |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-citadel-reinsurer/exclusive-hedge-fund-citadel-shuttering-bermuda-reinsurer-idUSTRE4A70G420081108 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214182404/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-citadel-reinsurer/exclusive-hedge-fund-citadel-shuttering-bermuda-reinsurer-idUSTRE4A70G420081108 |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |access-date=14 December 2019 |department=Business News |location=New York, N.Y., United States |language=en |agency=Thomson Reuters}}</ref> In 2006, Citadel's two funds, CIG Re and New Castle Re, had approximately 10 percent of its assets invested in reinsurance.<ref name="TheRoyalGazette2006December8PittmanMark">{{cite news |last=Pittman |first=Mark |date=8 December 2006 |title=Citadel sells bonds |language=en |work=The Royal Gazette |department=Bloomberg |location=New York, N.Y., United States |url=http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20061208/BUSINESS/312089909 |url-status=live |access-date=15 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216034739/http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20061208/BUSINESS/312089909 |archive-date=December 16, 2019}}</ref>
Citadel wound down CIG Re in November 2008 because the company could not achieve a financial strength rating, and as a result could not compete in comparison to other companies in the industry.<ref name="Reuters2008November7ZuillLilla" /><ref name="TheRoyalGazette2008December19">{{cite news |date=19 December 2008 |title=Torus takes New Castle Re renewal rights |language=en |work=The Royal Gazette |department=Business |location=Bermuda |url=http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20081219/BUSINESS/312199894 |url-status=live |access-date=15 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216034735/http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20081219/BUSINESS/312199894 |archive-date=December 16, 2019}}</ref> In January 2009, Citadel placed New Castle Re into run-off.<ref name="TheRoyalGazette2009July15">{{cite news |date=15 July 2009 |title=Chris McKeown, the founder of Bermuda reinsurers CIG Reinsurance Ltd. and New Castle Reinsurance Co., has been named chief executive officer of global analytical and specialty practices. |language=en |work=The Royal Gazette |department=Business |location=Bermuda |url=http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20090715/BUSINESS/307159960 |url-status=live |access-date=15 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216034722/http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20090715/BUSINESS/307159960 |archive-date=December 16, 2019}}</ref>
=== Investment strategy and risk management === The firm's risk management philosophy is focused on risk capital allocation, stress exposure and liquidity management.<ref name="Amanda Cantrell">{{cite web |last=Amanda Cantrell |date=10 December 2015 |title=Are You Prepared for the Next Crash? |url=http://www.institutionalinvestorsalpha.com/Article/3513063/Are-Hedge-Funds-Prepared-for-the-Next-Crash.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214054116/http://www.institutionalinvestorsalpha.com/Article/3513063/Are-Hedge-Funds-Prepared-for-the-Next-Crash.html |archive-date=December 14, 2015 |access-date=January 15, 2016 |publisher=Institutional Investor's Alpha}}</ref> Citadel's risk management center has 36 monitors displaying more than 50,000 instruments being traded within the firm's portfolios.<ref name="Amanda Cantrell" /> The firm runs 500 stress tests each day to simulate the impact of potential economic and geopolitical crises or other market dislocation.<ref name="Amanda Cantrell" /> Citadel aggregates investment positions on trading screens to calculate "more than 500 doomsday scenarios" to assess the potential of risk for the firm.<ref name="WSJ2015August3CopelandRob" />
In 2014, Citadel rated an A grade for risk management in the annual Institutional Investor Hedge Fund Report Card.<ref name="InstitutionalInvestor2014June27HurstGeorgina">{{cite news |last=Hurst |first=Georgina |date=27 June 2014 |title=A Winning Night for Hedge Fund Managers and Investors |language=en |work=The Institutional Investor. Cfo Directory |department=Corner Office |url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b14zbj8sby92mq/a-winning-night-for-hedge-fund-managers-and-investors |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129034905/https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b14zbj8sby92mq/a-winning-night-for-hedge-fund-managers-and-investors |archive-date=January 29, 2020 |issn=0020-3580}}</ref>
In April 2015, Ben S. Bernanke, who was the United States Federal Reserve chairman for eight years, joined Citadel as a senior adviser on global economic and financial issues.<ref name="NewYorkTimes2015April16SorkinAndrewRoss">{{cite news |last1=Sorkin |first1=AndrewRoss |last2=Stevenson |first2=Alexandra |date=16 April 2015 |title=Ben Bernanke Will Work With Citadel, a Hedge Fund, as an Adviser |language=en |page=B1 |work=The New York Times |department=DealBook |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/business/ben-bernanke-will-work-with-citadel-a-hedge-fund-as-an-adviser.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=16 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817075550/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/business/ben-bernanke-will-work-with-citadel-a-hedge-fund-as-an-adviser.html |archive-date=August 17, 2017 |issn=1553-8095}}</ref> In January 2017, Joanna Welsh became the Chief Risk Officer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-13 |title=Citadel's new NY office will be blessed with an enormous screen |url=https://www.efinancialcareers.com/news/2023/04/citadel-park-avenue-office |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=eFinancialCareers |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Funds === Citadel's investment fund structure consists of semi-autonomous teams that manage their own portfolios in specific market sectors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WSJ |first=Peter Rudegeair {{!}} Photographs by Scott McIntyre for |date=2024-08-16 |title=Citadel’s Ken Griffin Has Remade the Hedge-Fund Industry, With Himself on Top |url=https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/citadel-ken-griffin-hedge-funds-c9ddf51d |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> * Wellington Fund; founded in 1990 when Citadel began operations; Citadel's flagship multi-strategy hedge fund.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hedge fund Citadel poaches second Elliott portfolio manager in London |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4a036dae-8791-4d11-94d7-ce97759c6bf3 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=www.ft.com}}</ref><ref name="PickerFitzgerald">{{cite news |last1=Picker |first1=Leslie |last2=Fitzgerald |first2=Maggie |title=The main fund at Ken Griffin's Citadel is up 10% so far this year |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/07/the-main-fund-at-ken-griffins-citadel-is-up-10percent-so-far-this-year.html |access-date=7 May 2023 |work=CNBC |date=May 7, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> * Citadel Global Equities: created in 2001, a market-neutral strategy equities fund.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saacks |first=Bradley |title=Why Citadel's longest-running equities unit is focused on shorting stocks |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-citadel-focuses-on-shorting-stocks-according-to-justin-lubell-2024-10 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="PickerFitzgerald" /> * Tactical Trading: began in 2007, expanded in 2009-2010 to include statistical arbitrage and market neutral equity strategies<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burton |first=Katherine |date=2014-04-11 |title=Citadel Fund Said to Quadruple With High-Frequency Trades |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-04-11/citadel-fund-said-to-quadruple-with-high-frequency-trades |access-date=2025-09-15 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Herbst-Bayliss2023">{{cite news |last1=Herbst-Bayliss |first1=Svea |title=Citadel portfolios gain in March despite banking crisis |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/citadel-wellington-fund-gains-138-march-up-419-year-investor-2023-04-04/ |access-date=7 May 2023 |work=Reuters |date=4 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> * Fixed Income and Macro: founded in 1999, macro and interest rate-focused fund.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mackenzie |first=Nell |date=2024-09-16 |title=Hedge fund Citadel expands Global Fixed Income and Macro team |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/hedge-fund-citadel-expands-global-fixed-income-macro-team-2024-09-16/ |access-date=2025-09-15 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Citadel-fim2023">{{cite news |title=Citadel Hires Several Traders in Paris, London and New York |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-21/citadel-hires-several-traders-across-paris-london-and-new-york?embedded-checkout=true |access-date=18 May 2024 |work=Bloomberg |date=21 Feb 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
== Corporate affairs ==
=== Citadel ownership === In November 2006, Citadel became the second hedge fund to publicly issue bonds to investors in the form of senior unsecured debt totaling $2 billion, in an arrangement managed by Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs.<ref name="NewYorkTimes2006November26">{{cite news |date=26 November 2006 |title=Citadel Planning $2 Billion Debt Offering |language=en |work=The New York Times |department=DealBook |location=United States |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2006/11/28/citadel-to-plan-2-billion-debt-offering/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=14 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214054649/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2006/11/28/citadel-to-plan-2-billion-debt-offering/ |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |issn=1553-8095}}</ref>
=== Employees === In 2007, the fund was known for having one of the largest turnover rates in Chicago, gaining the nickname "Chicago's revolving door."<ref name="Fortune2007April3VickersMarcia" /> The ''New York Times'' reported in 2010 that "the firm is unique in its reputation for being a revolving door," meaning that it had a high turnover rate.<ref name="Dream" /><ref name="NewYorkTimes2010December27AhmedAzam">{{cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Azam |date=27 December 2010 |title=Citadel Founder Offers Thanks and Apologies on Anniversary |language=en |work=The New York Times |department=DealBook |location=United States |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/12/27/citadel-founder-offers-thanks-apology-on-anniversary |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=14 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007051554/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/12/27/citadel-founder-offers-thanks-apology-on-anniversary/ |archive-date=October 7, 2019 |issn=1553-8095}}</ref> It is also reported that turnover is aligned with the hedge fund industry.<ref name="Fortune2007April3VickersMarcia">{{cite news |last=Vickers |first=Marcia |date=3 April 2007 |title=A hedge fund superstar – Citadel founder Ken Griffin is already one of the world's most powerful investors. |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/04/16/8404298/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214065056/https://archive.fortune.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/04/16/8404298/index.htm |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |access-date=26 April 2008 |magazine=Fortune |location=United States |language=en}}</ref>
In March 2015, Citadel received a Top 10 Great Workplaces in Financial Services ranking by the Great Places to Work Institute, based on a survey by Citadel employees.<ref name="CrainsChicagoBusiness2015March6KaposShia">{{cite news |last=Kapos |first=Shia |date=6 March 2015 |title=Why Ken Griffin hated one of his first jobs |language=en |work=Crains Chicago Business |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150306/ISSUE09/150309873/ceo-ken-griffin-discusses-citadel-being-honored-as-a-great-place-to-work |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=29 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220183948/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150306/ISSUE09/150309873/ceo-ken-griffin-discusses-citadel-being-honored-as-a-great-place-to-work |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |issn=1557-7902}}</ref>
=== Regulatory affairs and public positions === Citadel has played an active role in regulatory affairs and has advocated for financial legislation on market structure. In 1999, Congress repealed a provision in the Glass–Steagall Act of 1933 that strictly separated banking and trading activities by financial firms. Griffin called dismantling that law "one of the biggest fiascos of all time".<ref name="RiskNet2012August1">{{cite news |date=1 August 2012 |title=Risk 25 firms of the future: Citadel |language=en |publisher=Risk.net |agency=Infopro Digital Risk (IP) Limited |location=United States |url=https://www.citadel.com/_files/uploads/2013/08/risk25citadel.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=13 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712102729/http://www.citadel.com/_files/uploads/2013/08/risk25citadel.pdf |archive-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> After the 2008 financial crisis, Griffin and Citadel called for greater transparency in derivatives trading, a stance at odds with many other hedge funds and major financial firms. The company spoke out against Wall Street for lobbying to delay the implementation of the Dodd–Frank Act.<ref name="RiskNet2012August1" /><ref name="fintimes">{{cite news |last1=Michael Mackenzie |last2=Tom Braithwaite |date=September 10, 2013 |title=Derivatives trading safer and more efficient, says Citadel |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f3e4b150-1a26-11e3-b3da-00144feab7de |url-status=live |access-date=July 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705154918/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f3e4b150-1a26-11e3-b3da-00144feab7de.html |archive-date=July 5, 2015}}</ref> Griffin has also called for breaking up "too big to fail" banks and separating their banking and trading activities.<ref name="fintimes" />
Following the 2014 publication of ''Flash Boys'' by Michael Lewis, who claimed financial markets are "rigged by large, high-speed traders" (also known as "high-frequency traders") Griffin, who was not interviewed by Lewis, shared his views on the book and its allegations during his second congressional hearing.<ref name="CrainsChicagoBusiness2014July8MerrionPaul">{{cite news |last=Merrion |first=Paul |date=8 July 2014 |title=Ban high-speed trading? 'Absolutely not,' says Citadel's Griffin |language=en |work=Crains Chicago Business |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140708/NEWS02/140709854/citadel-ceo-griffin-testifies-on-capitol-hill-on-high-frequency-trading |department=Government |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=7 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213230302/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140708/NEWS02/140709854/citadel-ceo-griffin-testifies-on-capitol-hill-on-high-frequency-trading |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |issn=1557-7902}}</ref> Griffin said in front of the Senate Banking Committee that from his perspective "the U.S. equity markets are the fairest, most transparent, resilient and competitive markets in the world."<ref name="CrainsChicagoBusiness2014July8MerrionPaul" /> Griffin expanded by saying that high-frequency trading functions to reconcile discrepancies between options tied to groups of stocks and the stocks themselves, saying, "Somebody has to keep the New York markets in line with the markets in Chicago. It all happens at an extremely low cost in the context of our capital markets".<ref name="CrainsChicagoBusiness2014July8MerrionPaul" /> During an event at Georgetown University, Griffin called the book "fiction".<ref>{{cite web |date=September 12, 2017 |title=Leaders of Global Finance Speakers Series presents Kenneth Griffin |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP79mQSlGbg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112223133/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP79mQSlGbg |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |website=YouTube}}</ref>
In November 2024, Griffin publicly warned against the tariff policies proposed by President-elect Donald Trump, stating at the Economic Club of New York that he was "gravely concerned that the rise of tariffs puts us on a slippery slope towards crony capitalism."<ref>{{cite news |date=21 November 2024 |title=Citadel's Ken Griffin says Trump's tariffs could lead to crony capitalism |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/21/citadels-ken-griffin-says-trumps-tariffs-could-lead-to-crony-capitalism.html |access-date=2026-05-22 |newspaper=CNBC}}</ref> Griffin argued that tariff-protected companies would lose competitive drive and turn to lobbying rather than innovation. Following the implementation of sweeping tariffs in 2025, Griffin escalated his criticism, telling the Milken Institute Global Conference in May 2025 that tariff exemptions had already "unleashed an era of crony capitalism" - happening "over the course of weeks" rather than the years he had anticipated.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 May 2025 |title=Citadel CEO Ken Griffin says 'it's terrifying to watch' as tariffs open doors to crony capitalism |url=https://fortune.com/2025/05/09/ken-griffin-citadel-trump-tariffs-crony-capitalism-economy-milken-conference |access-date=2026-05-22 |newspaper=Fortune}}</ref>
== See also == *''The Quants: How a New Breed of Math Whizzes Conquered Wall Street and Nearly Destroyed It'' *''Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. v. Manning'', a 2016 Supreme Court case involving naked short selling claims against Citadel Derivative Group and Merrill Lynch, and others.
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website| https://www.citadel.com/}} * [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Southeast_Financial_Center%2C_June_2016.jpg/250px-Southeast_Financial_Center%2C_June_2016.jpg Pictures of Citadel Center in Chicago] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125164021/http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Building/1098/Citadel_Center.php |date=November 25, 2020 }} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070317174334/http://accenture.tekgroup.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=4253 Data management agreement between Citadel and Accenture]
{{Hedge funds}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Financial services companies established in 1990 Category:Hedge fund firms of the United States Category:Investment management companies based in Florida Category:1990 establishments in Illinois Category:Privately held companies based in Miami, Florida