- IG Group acquires Australian crypto exchange Independent Reserve for $117.1 million.
- The acquisition expands IG’s regulated crypto presence in Australia and Singapore.
- IG’s move comes ahead of new UK crypto regulations set for 2026, boosting its position.
UK-based trading firm IG Group has reached an agreement to acquire Australian crypto exchange Independent Reserve for $117.1 million. The acquisition boosts IG’s presence in the regulated crypto market, particularly within the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, marking a key milestone in its global expansion and digital asset strategy.
IG will acquire an initial 70% stake in Independent Reserve for A$109.6 million ($72.3M), with an additional contingent payment of A$15.0 million if FY26 performance targets are met, taking the 70% consideration to A$124.6 million ($$82.2M). IG also has a call option to purchase the remaining 30% of Independent Reserve. That would be determined by performance targets in both 2027 and 2028. The deal gives IG access to one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets and an Australia & Singapore-regulated presence.
Matt Macklin, IG’s Managing Director of Asia Pacific and the Middle East, highlighted the importance of this acquisition in IG’s crypto strategy. Independent Reserve ranks among Australia’s largest and fastest-growing crypto exchanges. It boasts a strong regulatory framework, reliable technology, and effective leadership.
Independent Reserve’s Rapid Growth Enhances IG’s Crypto Expansion in APAC
The Independent Reserve has experienced significant growth over the past year. Revenues nearly doubled to $23.3 million, with 76% of the revenue generated in Australia and the remaining 24% from Singapore.
The company boasts a compound annual growth rate of 70% and a 60% increase in its monthly active customers. Independent Reserve is now home to around 11,600 active customers, demonstrating its growing influence in the region.
For IG, the acquisition of Independent Reserve fills a critical gap in its crypto offering. The UK-based firm already provides access to over 19,000 financial markets worldwide. The acquisition now allows IG to provide regulated crypto trading in APAC, including the highly competitive Australian and Singaporean markets. IG’s strategy includes expanding further into the Middle East and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
The purchase of Independent Reserve would enable IG to broaden its crypto product suite beyond the UK. In June, IG became the first UK-listed firm to offer retail customers the ability to trade Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and 35 other tokens.
Related: Australia’s Superannuation Turns Into a Test Case for Crypto Adoption
IG’s Strategic Move Ahead of 2026 UK Crypto Regulations
The acquisition is subject to approval by the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the transaction is scheduled to be completed in early 2026.
With effect from Q1 2026, IG Group intends to harmonise its customer activity definitions across the Group as part of this transaction. It would also start reporting and tracking metrics, including active customers, first trades, and funded accounts on a quarterly basis. Active customers are those who have opened or closed a trade during the relevant month, and/or have placed at least one non-expiring trade in their account.
This decision is in advance of new UK regulations scheduled for 2026. Crypto firms would have to collect and report reams of personal information about every trade and transfer. The regulation is meant to increase supervision and transparency in the digital asset industry.
The acquisition, as the crypto market evolves, is an indication that traditional financial firms are betting on the long-term growth of digital assets. As regulation increases, companies like IG are cementing their status by buying other operations for expertise, technology, and compliance.
