Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating activities
Net income / (loss)	$ 38,453	$ (3,573)	$ (3,987)
Adjustments to reconcile net income / (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity-based compensation	12,553	744	623
Accretion of income on other investments, at fair value	(124)	(424)	(1,423)
Realized loss / (gain) on other investments, at fair value	(7,300)	1,033	(490)
Change in unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, at fair value	(36,113)	(2,113)	(2,126)
Realized loss / (gain) on other investments, sold not yet purchased	(917)
Change in unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, sold not yet purchased	(146)
(Income) / loss from equity method affiliates	2,955	553
Depreciation and amortization	334	318	261
Impairment of goodwill	7,883
Amortization of discount on debt	736	548	820
Deferred tax provision / (benefit)	(8,877)	(678)	(838)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net:
Change in receivables from/ payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing agencies	(41,368)	73,343	44,824
Change in receivables from / payables to related parties, net	(2,346)	327	2
(Increase) decrease in other receivables	42,696	(34,535)	(8,559)
(Increase) decrease in investments-trading	64,891	(6,617)	(98,978)
(Increase) decrease in receivables under resale agreement	1,783,659	132,228	(5,577,027)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	4,340	(3,768)	(683)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities	24,552	7,855	6,334
Increase (decrease) in accrued compensation	10,313	(1,208)	848
Increase (decrease) in trading securities sold, not yet purchased	(33,508)	(42,175)	28,235
Increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreement to repurchase	(1,821,231)	(137,321)	5,605,165
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	41,435	(15,463)	(6,999)
Investing activities
Purchase of investments - other investments, at fair value	(62,282)	(1,927)	(26,865)
Purchase of investments - other investments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	(12,519)
Sales and returns of principal - other investments, at fair value	54,748	10,114	30,023
Sales and returns of principal - other investments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	20,997
Investments in equity method affiliates	(12,675)	(4,352)
Purchase of furniture, equipment, and leasehold improvements	(217)	(101)	(1,002)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(11,948)	3,734	2,156
Financing activities
Proceeds from PPP loan	2,166
Draw from FT LOC	17,500
Repayment of FT LOC	(17,500)
Proceeds from non-convertible debt	4,500
Proceeds (repayment) from debt	(9,163)	4,777	(1,461)
Payments for debt issuance costs	(24)		(525)
Proceeds from redeemable financial instrument		1,268	500
Repayment of redeemable financial instrument	(4,921)	(1,500)
Cash used to net share settle equity awards	(54)	(128)	(75)
Purchase and retirement of Common Stock	(2,142)	(299)	(769)
Proceeds from non-controlling interest investment	13,489	2,550
Non-controlling interest distributions	(35)	(213)	(426)
Cohen & Company Inc. dividends	(27)	(519)	(966)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,789	5,936	(3,722)
Effect of exchange rate on cash	416	(9)	(262)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	33,692	(5,802)	(8,827)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	8,304	14,106	22,933
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 41,996	$ 8,304	$ 14,106