Deutsche Börse Takes Majority Stake in Crypto Finance

Deutsche Börse Group, a major German financial marketplace organizer, announced on Thursday that it has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Crypto Finance, a FINMA-regulated firm that offers trading, custody, and investment services for digital assets.

​According to the official press release, the agreement was signed in June, and closing was on 15 December 2021. As part of Deutsche Börse, Crypto Finance will leverage the access to Deutsche Börse's client and infrastructure network as well as its strong capital base to further grow the Crypto Finance team, realise structural growth plans, and strategically broaden both its product and service portfolio. 

Deutsche Börse will now be able to provide its partners and clients with direct and easy access to digital asset services, including post-trade services. A wide range of digital assets is made available to existing customers and new market participants via their established platforms. In addition, synergies will serve to optimise processes and systems.

In addition, Jan Brzezek, CEO and co-founder of Crypto Finance, and the current management team will continue to lead the company and retain a significant stake. Crypto Finance will continue to operate as an independent brand, with a focus on banks, asset managers, FinTechs, and other financial intermediaries as its core customers.

The acting Chairman of the Board of Directors and co-founder of Crypto Finance AG, Dr Tobias Reichmuth, stepped down from his position on 15 December 2021. Eric Leupold, Head of Cash Market at Deutsche Börse has taken over the role.

Recently, Deutsche Börse announced that its Market Data + Services business is launching a new data offering​ with regards to the new settlement discipline rules coming along with the European Central Securities Depositories Regulation (CSDR), in partnership with Eurex Securities Transactions Services GmbH (Eurex STS).