Strategic Investment
SC Ventures, the innovation and fintech investment arm of Standard Chartered, has made a strategic investment in One Trading, a prominent European crypto-asset exchange. This investment round also saw existing investor MiddleGame Ventures increase its stake, alongside participation from Valar and SpeedInvest. The specific terms of this investment remain undisclosed, but the significance of this financial backing cannot be overstated.
Commitment to Digital Asset Infrastructure
As a significant player in the global banking sector, SC Ventures is focused on enhancing the infrastructure for the digital assets market, stated Joshua Barraclough, Founder and CEO of One Trading. “We are thrilled to welcome them as investors, confident that their involvement will bring considerable value to One Trading and our clientele.” This investment will enable One Trading to introduce the inaugural crypto perpetual futures in the European Union (EU) as a MiFID II trading venue, allowing the company to capitalise on the rapidly changing market dynamics.
Understanding MiFID II and OTF Licensing
The MiFID II regulatory framework, introduced by the EU in 2018, aims to enhance transparency and bolster investor protection across European financial markets. In July 2024, One Trading was granted an Organised Trading Facility (OTF) License by the Dutch financial market regulator, establishing it as a MiFID II trading venue. This development represents a significant milestone in One Trading’s efforts to facilitate regulated derivatives trading, as it solidifies its standing in an industry that is increasingly leaning toward regulation.
Pioneering Crypto Perpetual Futures for Retail Clients
With the OTF License now in place, One Trading stands as the only crypto perpetual futures trading venue in the EU and the first cash-settled perpetuals platform available in Europe, including the UK. This achievement positions One Trading as the first regulated derivatives exchange in Europe accessible to retail clients, marking a breakthrough for individual investors looking to enter the crypto market safely and confidently.
Milestone in One Trading’s Journey
The OTF license approval marks a pivotal moment in One Trading’s multi-year collaboration with the Dutch Financial Markets Authority (AFM) and the Dutch Central Bank (DNB). This journey has been aimed at revolutionising derivatives trading and establishing a compliant framework for crypto futures within the EU. By navigating complex regulatory landscapes, One Trading has set a precedent for future initiatives in the industry.
Vision for the Future
“Financial innovation should not come at the expense of consumer protection, which is why we are pleased to witness One Trading receiving the OTF License, remarked Alex Manson, CEO of SC Ventures. We commend the team for establishing the first MiFID II trading venue for crypto perpetual futures in the EU and eagerly anticipate witnessing One Trading’s continued growth and success, provide essential infrastructure for all participants in the EU and beyond.” This focus on consumer protection aligns with SC Ventures’ broader strategy to foster secure and sustainable growth in the digital assets space.
Strategic Partnerships for Growth
We saw the promise of One Trading from the beginning and are delighted to collaborate with SC Ventures and other investors in this round, stated Pascal Bouvier, Managing Partner at MiddleGame Ventures. We look forward to assisting One Trading in its goal of becoming the leading onshore, licensed, and institutional trading venue that the digital assets market has been eagerly awaiting. This investment underscores the confidence that industry leaders have in One Trading’s capacity to lead the market and innovate within a rapidly changing financial environment.
