Founded in 2004 by Barry Silbert, SecondMarket, Inc. created a centralized marketplace for alternative assets that were traditionally illiquid. It initially focused on assets like restricted securities, but it became best known as the leading venue for employees and early investors to sell shares in pre-IPO, high-growth technology companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and Tesla. The company was also an early pioneer in the digital currency space, launching the Bitcoin Investment Trust in 2013, which later evolved into the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC). In October 2015, Nasdaq acquired SecondMarket, which was subsequently rebranded and integrated into Nasdaq Private Market, continuing its mission to provide liquidity solutions for private companies through tender offers, auctions, and other tailored programs.

Founded in

United States