One Trading, a Netherlands-based crypto exchange, has recently secured a strategic investment from SC Ventures, which is Standard Chartered’s innovation and fintech investment arm. This investment is aimed at fueling One Trading’s expansion in the European Union (EU) as the company prepares to launch the first crypto perpetual futures trading venue under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II). Existing investors MiddleGame, Valar, and SpeedInvest also participated in this investment round, however, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
One Trading stands out by offering a more efficient and user-friendly alternative to traditional crypto derivatives. Their derivatives are designed to be simpler and require less capital compared to futures products available on exchanges like CME or Eurex. The strategic investment from SC Ventures will allow One Trading to further develop its infrastructure, enhance its technology, and expand its product offerings. Alex Manson, CEO of SC Ventures, emphasized the importance of financial innovation without compromising consumer protection and looks forward to One Trading providing infrastructure to all participants in the EU and beyond.
In July, One Trading obtained an Organized Trading Facility (OTF) license from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), positioning the company as the only perpetual futures trading venue in the EU and the United Kingdom. As a MiFID II trading venue, One Trading is subject to comprehensive regulations aimed at enhancing market transparency, protecting investors, and ensuring fair and orderly financial markets. Founder and CEO Joshua Barraclough views this milestone as a result of years of hard work and innovation and envisions a future where customers can go long or short on any asset, use any asset as collateral, settle transactions instantly, and perpetually roll contracts.
One Trading was originally established in 2019 as a subsidiary of the Austrian digital asset platform Bitpanda under the name Bitpanda Pro. However, in June 2023, One Trading became independent from Bitpanda after a Series A funding round led by Valar Ventures raised €30 million. The investment round was also supported by Speedinvest, MiddleGame Ventures, Keyrock, and Wintermute Ventures. Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures, a long-time investor in Bitpanda, led the funding round. Bitpanda, on the other hand, launched Bitpanda Wealth in January 2024, targeting European institutions and high-net-worth individuals seeking exposure to digital assets.
Overall, One Trading’s strategic investment from SC Ventures and its focus on simplifying crypto derivatives while complying with regulatory standards highlights the company’s commitment to innovation and growth in the European market. With the support of key investors and regulatory approvals, One Trading is well-positioned to become a prominent player in the crypto trading landscape, offering users a secure and user-friendly platform for trading digital assets.
