Singapore-based crypto exchange Crypto.com has acquired Australian brokerage and trading firm, Fintek Securities. This move allows the platform to expand its offerings in Australia, integrating traditional financial products alongside its crypto services.
Fintek Securities is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and holds an Australian Financial Services Licence, enabling it to provide a broad range of investment services.
Bringing Equities and Traditional Finance to Crypto.com Users
Vakul Talwar, Crypto.com’s general manager for Australia, described the acquisition as a transformative step. The move paves the way for the exchange to offer equities trading on major stock exchanges, including the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), London Stock Exchange (LSE), New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and Nasdaq.
“As part of this brokerage acquisition, we will be able to launch equities trading on Australian and international exchanges,” Talwar said. He added that Crypto.com users will soon have access to deposit products, derivatives, securities, foreign exchange, and managed investment schemes.
Talwar emphasised the goal of bridging the gap between traditional finance and digital assets. “This integration allows users to manage a range of investment assets across different investment classes,” he noted.
Australia’s Crypto Regulatory Landscape
Australia has embraced crypto as a legal asset class for trade, spending, and holding, though merchants are not required to accept it as payment. The government is actively working on a regulatory framework for the sector, with consultations involving industry players, investors, and stakeholders.
At the AFR Crypto and Digital Assets Summit on Sept. 23, ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland highlighted plans to require crypto exchanges to obtain financial services licences.
Talwar confirmed that Crypto.com is playing an active role in these developments, collaborating with authorities to shape clear regulations. “We are working very closely with the government and ASIC, doing what we can as a responsible local industry player,” he said.
Crypto.com’s Expansion Beyond Crypto
Crypto.com’s acquisition of Fintek Securities follows a similar move in the United States. On Oct. 31, the exchange announced it had acquired Watchdog Capital, a broker-dealer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This acquisition enables Crypto.com to offer stocks and equity options to eligible U.S. traders, further solidifying its transition into traditional financial services.
