Quick Takeaways:
- IG Group is acquiring 70% of Australia’s Independent Reserve for $72M.
- The full deal could hit $117M if the exchange hits performance goals.
- This gives IG a solid foothold in the Asia-Pacific crypto market.
IG Group Expands Crypto Reach into Australia and Asia-Pacific
In a move that shows just how serious they are about crypto, IG Group is buying a big stake in Independent Reserve, one of Australia’s most established crypto exchanges.
Here’s the deal: IG is picking up 70% of the company for $72 million, with the option to buy the remaining 30% in the next few years.
If everything goes well, the total value could reach $117 million. That’s not pocket change, and it shows IG isn’t just dipping its toes into crypto anymore. They’re diving in.
So, why Independent Reserve? And why now?
Because it’s not just a crypto exchange, it’s a platform with real users, strong growth, and something most exchanges are still trying to figure out: regulatory credibility.
IG Group Expands Crypto Footprint with the Right Partner
The timing of this deal makes a lot of sense.
Crypto markets have had their ups and downs lately, but serious companies like IG are still investing and doing it strategically.
Rather than building something from scratch in a new market, IG is teaming up with a company that already knows the space.
Independent Reserve has been around since 2013 and has built a solid reputation in Australia and Singapore.
In the last year alone, its revenue nearly doubled to $23.9 million, and its user base jumped 60%, now sitting at over 11,000 active monthly traders. That kind of growth? It’s not by accident. And IG isn’t just buying a name.
The current leadership, including CEO Adrian Przelozny, is staying on board. That means customers can expect the same experience, just with more resources and bigger plans ahead.
“Joining IG gives us the platform to grow even faster,” Przelozny said. “And we’ll keep doing it the right way, securely and with regulation front and center.”
IG Group Expands Crypto Access in the UK, US, and Now Asia
This isn’t IG’s first crypto rodeo.
Earlier this year, they teamed up with Uphold to become the first UK-listed company to offer retail crypto trading.
That partnership brought 35 cryptocurrencies directly into IG’s platform and mobile app, making it easier than ever for everyday investors to get involved in digital assets.
In the U.S., their brokerage arm Tastytrade has also jumped into crypto. They now offer 23 tokens and even let customers fund accounts with stablecoins, thanks to a partnership with blockchain firm Zero Hash.
So now that IG has made moves in the UK and US, the next logical step is the Asia-Pacific region, which is growing fast and has a huge appetite for regulated crypto platforms. That’s exactly what Independent Reserve brings to the table.
Why Regulation Matters More Than Ever
Let’s be real, the crypto world still has trust issues.
Between collapses, hacks, and unregulated platforms, it’s no wonder that investors are looking for safer, more transparent options.
IG’s strategy seems pretty simple: grow fast, but stay compliant. That’s why acquiring a platform like Independent Reserve, already regulated in both Australia and Singapore, is such a smart play.
It allows IG to serve crypto traders who want to invest with confidence, not confusion. And for users already on the platform? Nothing’s being overhauled. Same brand, same team, same experience, just with IG’s support behind the scenes.
What’s Next for IG and Independent Reserve?
The deal isn’t finalized just yet. It still needs approvals from regulators in both Australia (FIRB) and Singapore (MAS).
But if everything moves forward as expected, the acquisition should be wrapped up by early 2026.
Once that happens, IG Group will have regulated crypto operations across four major markets: the UK, the U.S., Australia, and Singapore, with more likely on the way.
And considering the growing demand for accessible, trustworthy crypto platforms, IG is putting itself in a great position to lead.
