Key Takeaways
·
NYSE owner Intercontinental Exchange is in talks to invest in MoonPay, per Bloomberg.
·
The discussions
highlight growing institutional interest in crypto payments.
·
Any deal would
mark another step by traditional exchanges into digital assets.
NEW YORK (NewsBlock) -
NYSE
invest in crypto discussions
advanced as Intercontinental Exchange, the owner of the New York Stock
Exchange, entered talks to invest in crypto payments firm MoonPay as part of a
funding round, Bloomberg reported.
The talks matter
as traditional market operators deepen ties to digital assets following the
approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds and expanding institutional use
of crypto-linked payment rails. No agreement has been finalized, and terms
could still change.
ICE is
considering participating in MoonPay’s latest funding round, according to
people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg. The size of the potential
investment was not disclosed. ICE declined to
comment on the discussions. MoonPay did not immediately respond to a request
for comment.
MoonPay
provides crypto payment infrastructure that allows users to buy and sell
digital assets using credit cards, bank transfers, and other traditional
payment methods. The company operates in more than 160 countries and has
partnerships with crypto wallets and exchanges.
Founded in
2019, MoonPay has raised more than $650 million from investors including Tiger Global, Coatue, and
Paradigm, according to PitchBook data. The company was last valued at about $3.4 billion during its 2021 funding round.
An investment
by ICE would further link legacy financial market infrastructure with crypto
payment networks. ICE already operates futures markets that list bitcoin
derivatives and provides data services to digital asset firms.
“This shows how
incumbents are positioning themselves for tokenized finance,” said Ian Katz,
managing director at Capital Alpha Partners. “Payments are one of the clearest
bridges between crypto and traditional markets.”
ICE has
steadily expanded beyond equities and commodities into technology-driven market
services. Its acquisitions include mortgage software provider Ellie Mae and
fixed-income trading platforms.
The potential
MoonPay investment follows similar moves by large financial firms seeking
exposure to crypto infrastructure rather than direct trading venues. Banks and
exchanges have shown interest in custody, payments, and settlement technology
tied to digital assets.
Regulatory
scrutiny remains a factor. U.S. regulators have increased oversight of crypto
firms, focusing on anti-money laundering controls and consumer protections.
MoonPay has said it maintains compliance programs aligned with local
regulations in the jurisdictions where it operates.
ICE shares were
little changed in afternoon trading following the Bloomberg report. The company
has a market capitalization of about $68 billion.
Investors have
watched whether traditional exchange operators can generate growth from digital
assets after volatile crypto markets in recent years. Analysts said
partnerships and minority investments can limit risk while preserving strategic
optionality
What’s Next
Any investment
would be subject to due diligence and final approval, people familiar with the
talks said. A completed round could be announced in the coming weeks if
discussions progress.
Market participants will watch whether ICE deepens
operational ties with MoonPay following any investment, including potential
integrations with trading, clearing, or data services. The talks may also
encourage other exchange operators to explore stakes in crypto payments as
digital assets move further into mainstream finance.