February 06, 2026
By Our Correspondent
The online trading firm snaps up Independent Reserve to deepen its presence in Asia-Pacific and the Gulf
IG Group Holdings has completed the acquisition of Independent Reserve, a cryptocurrency exchange best known for its emphasis on regulatory compliance and security. The deal, approved by Singapore’s Monetary Authority, marks a calculated push by the British trading firm into digital assets at a time when institutional interest is rising and regulators are beginning to clarify the rules.
First announced in mid-September 2025, the transaction brings Independent Reserve’s crypto infrastructure and operational know-how under IG’s umbrella. With regulatory hurdles now cleared, IG is free to expand its offering in a market that is evolving rapidly but unevenly across regions.
Independent Reserve, which has built its reputation on cautious growth and adherence to local laws, is expected to continue operating smoothly under new ownership. Internal projections suggest little disruption for existing customers, who will retain access to the platform’s services and compliance standards.
For IG, the prize is strategic reach. The firm plans to roll out enhanced cryptocurrency trading services in Singapore, Australia and the United Arab Emirates from the second half of 2026, using Independent Reserve’s technology as the backbone. These markets combine rising retail demand with regulatory frameworks that, while still maturing, are more hospitable than those in many Western jurisdictions.
The deal reflects a broader trend in global finance. As enthusiasm for digital assets ebbs and flows, established financial firms are selectively acquiring crypto specialists rather than building in-house. By pairing Independent Reserve’s blockchain expertise with IG’s regional scale and customer base, the combined group hopes to offer regulated access to crypto markets—still a scarce commodity.
Executives on both sides stress continuity and ambition. Matt Macklin, who oversees IG’s Middle East and Asia-Pacific operations, says the acquisition strengthens the firm’s digital-asset capabilities just as client demand accelerates. Adrian Przelozny, Independent Reserve’s chief executive and co-founder, frames the tie-up as a way to extend secure and compliant crypto services to a broader audience.
Whether such consolidations will tame crypto’s volatility remains unclear. But as regulators tighten oversight and investors grow choosier, partnerships between legacy trading firms and crypto natives may become the industry’s dominant model—bridging old finance and new technology, one acquisition at a time.
