IG Group Acquires Majority Stake in Independent Reserve for A$178 Million

Highlights:

• IG Group has acquired 70% ownership of Independent Reserve with an option for full control by 2028.
• Independent Reserve posts strong growth with a 60% rise in monthly users and $1.12 billion in assets.
• The acquisition supports its global strategy and the earnings impact is projected to begin in the nextfiscal year.

UK-based trading firm IG Group has entered the Asia-Pacific crypto market by purchasing a majority stake in Independent Reserve. The transaction, worth A$178 million ($117 million), gives IG Group 70% control of the Australian exchange. The company confirmed that it holds an option to acquire the remaining 30% depending on performance in the financial years 2027 and 2028.

JUST IN: 🇬🇧 UK’S IG GROUP ACQUIRES AUSTRALIAN CRYPTO EXCHANGE INDEPENDENT RESERVE FOR A$178M ($117M). pic.twitter.com/eA0k0VOVEf

— The Moon Show (@TheMoonShow) September 19, 2025

Completion of the deal depends on approvals from Singapore’s Monetary Authority and Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board. IG expects this process to conclude in early 2026. The company emphasized that the acquisition strengthens its footprint in a region with growing digital asset activity.

IG stated that the deal followed a lengthy review of opportunities within the crypto sector. It added that Independent Reserve filled a key market gap for its operations. The company also indicated that the acquisition should add to its cash earnings per share within the first year after completion.

IG Group Acquires Independent Reserve to Boost Regional Reach

Independent Reserve is one of the oldest regulated crypto platforms in Australia and operates as well in Singapore. It trades 34 digital assets and has both retail and institutional clients. The site recorded A35.3 million in annual revenue for the year ending in June, which is almost twice compared to the previous year.

The exchange continued to grow into 2025 to reach a revenue of $23.3 million in the fiscal year ending in June, being 88% better than the previous year. The number of monthly active users increased by 60% to approximately 11,600. Independent Reserve also reported $1.12 billion in assets under custody from 129,400 funded accounts.

IG Group’s Asia Pacific and Middle East Managing Director Matt Macklin described Independent Reserve as a strong and reliable partner. He pointed to its regulatory foundation, technology, and leadership as major strengths. Macklin added that the acquisition represents an important step in IG’s regional strategy.

Independent Reserve CEO Adrian Przelozny welcomed the deal and said it provides a larger platform for expansion. He noted that the exchange remains committed to its focus on secure and compliant trading services while preparing for its next stage of growth.

Strategic Fit for Global Expansion

IG has been extending its crypto services outside the Asia-Pacific market. It was the first UK-listed company to enable retail investors to trade a wide range of cryptocurrencies in June. This new product allowed one to trade 38 tokens, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP, via a partnership with Uphold.

IG Group becomes first UK-listed firm to offer retail crypto trading through Uphold partnership

— Bradicoin (@Bradicoin10) June 6, 2025

The acquisition of the Independent Reserve supplements these activities and also spreads the IG strategy to the Asia-Pacific region. It establishes direct entry to regulated markets in Australia and Singapore, which fits IG long-term vision of digital assets. The company estimates that the transaction will lead to a rise in earnings starting in the fiscal year 2027.

The announcement made by IG Group emphasized the need to seize opportunities in various locations without losing sight of compliance and oversight. The market response is, however, mixed, with IG shares falling 1.8% on Friday.