Key Points
- IG Group completed the Independent Reserve acquisition after receiving regulatory clearance in Singapore.
- The deal supports regulated crypto expansion across Australia, Asia, and the Middle East.
IG Group confirmed it has completed the acquisition of Australian crypto exchange Independent Reserve after securing regulatory approval in Singapore on Jan. 30.
The transaction enables the London-based trading firm to broaden its regulated digital asset services across multiple international markets later this year.
Regulatory Approval and Strategic Rationale
According to reported by London South East, the deal was first announced in September with an initial valuation of AUD 178 million, equivalent to about £86.8 million.
The acquisition provides IG Group with direct ownership of a licensed crypto exchange established in Australia and increasingly active across Asia.
Independent Reserve has a client base spanning retail and institutional investors and operates with a focus on regulatory compliance and security standards.
The exchange will continue under its existing management team, with co-founder and CEO Adrian Przelozny remaining in his role following the takeover.
IG Group stated that the acquisition aligns with its longer-term strategy to expand beyond traditional trading products while maintaining a regulated approach to crypto markets.
Planned Crypto Expansion
Following the acquisition, IG Group plans to introduce crypto trading services powered by Independent Reserve in Singapore, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.
These services are expected to launch in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approval in each jurisdiction.
The company has already expanded its digital asset offerings, including spot trading for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), alongside XRP, targeting retail investors.
Matt Macklin, head of Asia Pacific and Middle East operations at IG Group, said the acquisition supports increasing demand for digital assets while prioritizing customer protection.
At the time of disclosure, IG Group shares were trading at 1,351 pence, representing a 33% increase over the past year.
