TLDR
- IG Group acquires 70% of Independent Reserve for $72M to expand in APAC.
- The acquisition complements IG’s recent crypto launches in the UK and US.
- Independent Reserve saw an 88% revenue increase in FY 2025.
- The deal aims to leverage Independent Reserve’s regulatory foundation and technology.
IG Group, a UK-based online trading platform, has acquired a majority stake in the Australian cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve. The deal, valued at 109.6 million Australian dollars ($72.4 million), strengthens IG’s presence in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific (APAC) crypto market. The acquisition is set to position IG as a more prominent player in both the Australian and Singaporean cryptocurrency markets, enhancing its global operations.
The agreement also provides IG with access to Independent Reserve’s existing customer base, which includes both retail and institutional clients. The acquisition includes an option for IG to acquire the remaining 30% of Independent Reserve, based on its future performance. This would bring the total transaction value to approximately 178 million Australian dollars ($117.6 million). Regulatory approvals from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) in Australia are expected, with the deal set to close in early 2026.
Expanding IG Group’s Crypto Reach
The purchase of Independent Reserve aligns with IG Group’s broader strategy to expand its footprint in the cryptocurrency sector. IG Group has made significant strides in the crypto market, especially with its recent crypto offerings in the UK and US. With the acquisition of a majority stake in one of Australia’s oldest regulated crypto exchanges, IG aims to solidify its position in the APAC region.
Independent Reserve, founded in 2013, offers trading in 34 cryptocurrencies, including major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The exchange has shown strong growth, reporting $23.3 million in revenue for the fiscal year ending June 2025, an 88% increase year-over-year.
It has also seen a 60% increase in monthly active users, bringing the total to approximately 11,600. Independent Reserve holds $1.12 billion in assets under custody across 129,400 funded accounts, further enhancing its attractiveness as an acquisition target.
Independent Reserve’s Role in the Deal
Independent Reserve CEO Adrian Przelozny expressed that the acquisition will help the platform grow, while maintaining its commitment to secure and regulated trading. “This deal will allow us to expand while remaining aligned with our goal of regulated and secure crypto trading,” Przelozny stated.
The platform is one of the few regulated crypto exchanges in Australia, giving it a competitive edge in a region with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.
The acquisition also fills a regional product gap for IG Group. The firm now gains “immediate access” to Australia and Singapore, which are key markets in the crypto space. The integration of Independent Reserve into IG Group’s operations will bolster the company’s position as a comprehensive provider of online trading services, expanding beyond traditional assets like stocks and commodities to include digital currencies.
Future Potential and Financial Outlook
While the deal is still pending regulatory approvals, it’s expected to be accretive to IG Group’s earnings starting in fiscal year 2027. However, the announcement has not led to a significant market reaction, as IG’s shares dropped by 1.8% in the trading session following the news.
Independent Reserve’s strong growth in revenue and user base will provide a solid foundation for IG Group’s expansion in the APAC region.
The exchange’s established regulatory compliance and strong leadership further enhance its value to IG Group. Moreover, IG Group’s increased presence in the crypto sector complements its recent ventures into digital assets in the UK and US, marking a growing trend of institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies.
