important notes
- IG Group has received the green light to acquire Australian cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve.
- According to the agreement, leadership of the Reserve Bank will remain with the larger company.
- More crypto services are planned for this year in Singapore, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The acquisition of IG Group Independent Reserve reached a key milestone on January 30th following regulatory approval in Singapore. The London-based trading company has confirmed it has fully acquired an Australian cryptocurrency exchange. Notably, this sets the stage for the launch of more broadly regulated crypto offerings across several major markets later this year.
Independent Reserve Acquisition Gains Regulatory Support
As reported by London South East, IG Group first announced the deal in September, with an initial price set at A$178 million, or approximately £86.8 million.
The acquisition will give IG Group direct access to a licensed crypto exchange with Australian roots and a growing presence in Asia.
Independent Reserve is known for serving retail and institutional customers with a focus on compliance and security. By completing the acquisition of Independent Reserve, IG strengthens its position in digital asset trading without starting from scratch.
The exchange will continue to operate under its existing leadership, with CEO and co-founder Adrian Przelozny remaining in place. IG Group said the transaction fits into its long-term plans to expand beyond traditional trading products.
Notably, the company has been cautious with cryptocurrencies in the past, choosing a regulated route rather than riskier expansion. This approach appears to have guided the Independent Reserve acquisition from the beginning.
Expansion plans after independent reserve acquisition
Following the acquisition of Independent Reserve, IG Group plans to offer cryptocurrency trading services using the exchange in Singapore, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. Launch is scheduled for the second half of 2026, subject to local rules in each market.
It is worth noting that the company is making big moves in the crypto market. For example, in 2025, IG Group started spot trading of Bitcoin. BTC $82,876 24 hour volatility: 5.7% Market capitalization: $1.65 trillion Vol. 24 hours: $93.19B Ethereum Ethereum $2,734 24 hour volatility: 6.6% Market capitalization: $32.954 billion Vol. 24 hours: $47.80B and $XRP $XRP $1.76 24 hour volatility: 5.9% Market capitalization: $106.79B Vol. 24 hours: $51.3 billion is expanding its services for individual investors.
Matt Macklin, who oversees IG’s operations for Asia Pacific and the Middle East, said the deal confirms the growing demand for digital assets in these regions. He noted that the acquisition of Independent Reserve will add technological depth while keeping customer protection front and center.
Related Article: Cryptocurrency Drop Explained: Bitcoin vs. Gold, 275,000 Traders Affected
At the time of publication, IG Group’s share price was trading at 1,351p, reflecting a 33% rise over the past year. For IG Group, the acquisition of Independent Reserve represents a clear step towards regulated crypto growth rather than speculative exposure.
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