register now for free unlimited access to reuterscom register the nasdaq logo is displayed at the nasdaq market site in times square in new york city us december 3 2021 reutersjeenah moon sept 20 reuters  nasdaq inc ndaqo is placing a big bet on the cryptocurrency market with the launch of a digital assets business that is aimed at tapping institutional investors the new unit nasdaq digital assets will offer custody services for cryptocurrencies including bitcoin and ethereum potentially pitting it against firms such as coinbase coino fidelity digital assets and winkelvoss twinowned gemini that offer similar products nasdaq has hired ira auerbach a gemini executive to lead the new unit the stock exchange has also expanded its antifinancial crime technology to detect and curb money laundering fraud and market abuse risks it said in a statement on tuesday as the market is constantly on the regulators radar the crypto market is reeling from a major rout forcing some of its biggest players to lay off thousands of employees in a bid to cut costs bitcoin has crashed nearly 60 this year driving companies such as celsius network and voyager digital ltd to file for bankruptcy reporting by mehnaz yasmin in bengaluru editing by anil dsilva