Major UK online trading company IG Group has revealed the purchase of Australia based cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve for A$178 million ($117.2m). The acquisition, which was completed on Friday, reinforces IG’s footprint in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and provides an opportunity for the company to extend its reach in one of the world’s most crypto-intensive markets.
Independent Reserve a well-known crypto exchange based in Australia and Singapore. It offers over-the-counter trading in 34 electronic assets to retail and institutional clients.
The exchange has been literally booming over the last one year as revenue has grown to A$35.3M nearly two times more than it did a year ago. The Head of Asia Pacific of IG Group, Matt Macklin stated:
“This acquisition marks an important step in IG’s crypto strategy in a key region. Independent Reserve is one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing digital asset exchanges with established regulatory foundations, proven technology and strong leadership.”
Under the agreement, IG Group will first purchase 70% of Independent Reserve, with an option to buy out the remaining 30% according to performance criteria in two tranches in 2027 and 2028. But, the agreement is yet to secure clearance from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), completion scheduled for early 2026.
Also Read: Bitcoin ETFs and Tokenized Treasuries Drive U.S. $2.3 Trillion Crypto Growth
IG Group has said the purchase will be earnings per share accretive following completion, with the firm expecting a positive impact to cash EPS in its first full year of ownership. This reflects IG’s confidence in Independent Reserve’s development prospects and its synergy with IG’s multi-asset offering.
IG Group made waves within the fintech industry after becoming the first London-listed firm to offer retail users access to popular cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and an XRP trading platform. The decision is testament toIG’s commitmentfor its continued expansion in the crypto space and this takeover of Independent Reserve further entrenches it in the sector.
The UK is warming up for some significant changes around its approach to crypto regulations. Beginning in 2026, every crypto company operating in the U.K. will be expected to report specific customer data for every trade and transfer taking place. It’s part of a broader ploy to bring the rapidly expanding digital asset sector under control.
Also Read: Ethereum Price Outlook: Can ETH Break $4,800 and Rally Toward $5,800?
Also read: Which Top Cryptos Stand to Gain from the SEC’s New ETF Listing Guidelines?
