Crypto.com acquires Orion to expand financial products

Crypto.com has acquired Orion Principals Limited, an Abu Dhabi-based brokerage licensed and regulated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

In an announcement on Monday, Crypto.com said the acquisition is part of the crypto exchange’s plans to expand its range of crypto products and services.

Specifically, Crypto.com is looking to add traditional financial instruments to its offerings.

Exchange eyes growth in the UAE

The expansion plan comes as the United Arab Emirates increasingly becomes a key global hub for crypto, with a crypto-friendly regulatory regime helping companies and businesses.

Various projects and top crypto figures have set up shop in the UAE, and Crypto.com is eyeing that growth potential with Orion.

Crypto.com said in a December 9 blog post that acquiring the ADGM-regulated platform is a path towards this mission.

Orion’s brokerage license allows it to offer investment and ancillary services across different financial instruments.

The acquisition means Crypto.com can now bring financial products such as securities, options, contracts for difference and futures to eligible users.

Kris Marszalek, the chief executive officer of Crypto.com noted:

Crypto.com plans to share further details on these products in coming weeks, according to details in the blog post.

Further details on the launch of these services for eligible users will be shared in the coming weeks.

Crypto.com’s regulatory compliance

Founded in 2016, Crypto.com is one of the top crypto exchanges with a major global presence.

Its regulatory compliance includes registrations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Latin America and Middle East.

The exchange recently secured a payment service provider license in Bahrain and is registered as a Virtual Assets Service Provider in Dubai.

In the US, Crypto.com holds various regulatory approvals, including a broker-dealer, derivatives clearing organization (DCO), designated contracts market (DCM), money services business and money transmitter.

Crypto.com’s snapping of Orion follows multiple other deals the exchange has finalized in recent months.

In November 2024, Crypto.com announced the acquisition of Australia-based brokerage and trading firm Fintek Securities Pty Ltd.

The exchange also expanded its traditional financial services footprint with the acquisition of Charterprime, an exchange and brokerage licensed in Mauritius.

Crypto.com also acquired Watchdog Capital, LLC, a broker-dealer registered by the US Securities and Exchange Commission in October 2024.