IG Group Acquires Australian Cryptocurrency Exchange Independent Reserve

UK-based online trading firm IG Group announced today (September 19) its acquisition of Australian cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve for an initial enterprise value of AUD 178 million. The company stated that the acquisition will serve as a strategic gateway for IG’s expansion into the cryptocurrency trading market across the Asia-Pacific region.

The deal is pending regulatory approvals from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), with completion expected in early 2026.

Independent Reserve holds licenses in Australia and Singapore to provide cryptocurrency trading services for retail and institutional clients. The exchange currently manages 129,400 funded accounts and oversees AUD 1.7 billion in assets under custody. It averages 116,000 monthly active customers and reported AUD 35.3 million in revenue for the fiscal year 2025.

Under the deal terms, IG will onboard Independent Reserve's leadership and staff, who will retain a 30% equity stake.

IG Group further disclosed that it will initially acquire Independent Reserve for AUD 109.6 million, representing five times the exchange’s revenue for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2025. An additional AUD 15 million may be paid, contingent upon Independent Reserve’s performance in FY2026.

In May 2025, IG Group launched spot crypto trading in the UK in partnership with Uphold. Additionally, the group also plans to expand its cryptocurrency trading services into the Middle East.

BrokersView reminds you

Online trading brand IG holds licenses from multiple financial regulators, such as the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the US National Futures Association (NFA), and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Click here for more information about IG.