IG Group Sells Small Exchange to Kraken Owner Payward for $100M
IG Group Holdings plc (LON:IGG) has completed the sale of Small Exchange Inc to Payward Inc, the parent company of crypto exchange Kraken. The move is a strategic shift as IG strengthens its position in the digital asset space.
About the Deal
The transaction values Small Exchange at $100 million (£74.9 million). Payward will pay $32.5 million (£24.3 million) in cash and $67.5 million (£50.6 million) in Payward stock. IG Group will record a post-tax gain of £73.3 million and boost its regulatory capital resources by £22.7 million. IG will collaborate with Kraken to distribute new exchange products as part of the agreement.
Building Crypto Momentum
The sale aligns with IG’s growing crypto strategy. The group announced plans to acquire Independent Reserve, an Australia-based crypto exchange, in September 2025. The completion is expected in early 2026, pending regulatory approval.
In addition, IG recently secured a cryptoasset licence from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. It allows an expanded crypto product range for UK customers.
IG also participated in a major funding round for Zero Hash Holdings LLC, a market infrastructure provider for crypto, stablecoin, and tokenized assets, earlier in FY26. The investment gave IG an 8.1% shareholding. It valued Zero Hash at around $1 billion — one of the largest raises in the sector this year.
About IG Group
Stuart Wheeler Founded IG Group in 1974. IG Group is a global online trading and investment services provider. The company offers access to approximately 19,000 financial markets. It serves over 240,000 clients worldwide. IG Group promotes financial freedom through its innovative trading platforms and educational ecosystem.
Summing Up
The sale of Small Exchange to Payward shows IG Group’s pivot toward digital assets. The group is on the way to lead roles in the evolving global crypto market.Register your company now and get featured on our homepage!
