IG Group Announces Acquisition of Investment Platform Freetrade

Last week, IG Group announced the acquisition of Freetrade, a fast-growing commission-free investment platform, for £160 million, further expanding IG Group's trading and investment offering in the UK.

The deal, awaiting regulatory approval, is expected to be completed in mid-2025.

Freetrade will be operated as a standalone brand by the existing management team. Meanwhile, IG Group will invest in Freetrade, which is at a key stage of its development, to expand its product range, recruit talent and add new features and marketing activities. The majority of the brand's forecast profits will also be reinvested in growing the business over the next two years.

Offering a wide range of financial products, including more than 6,200 global stocks and ETFs, fractional shares, UK Treasury bills, ISAs, SIPPs, securities lending, and proxy voting, Freetrade is one of the most successful business growing in the UK market. Founded in 2018, Freetrade has 720,000 customers; at the end of last year, its assets under management to reached £250 million.

According to the Group, the acquisition of Freetrade facilitates the expansion of the group's reachable markets, adding a new strong brand in the direct-to-customer trading and investment market.

Viktor Nebehaj, CEO and co-founder of Freetrade said:“This is an exciting opportunity to accelerate our growth and delivery of new products and features on our award-winning platform. IG’s vision for Freetrade is closely aligned with our own and its backing will be of huge benefit as we continue to scale the business.”

Nebehaj and the leadership team will stay with the brand as it continues to scale the business.