One Trading, a crypto exchange based in the Netherlands, has recently received a strategic investment from SC Ventures, the innovation and fintech investment arm of Standard Chartered. This investment will support One Trading’s expansion in the European Union (EU) and the launch of 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 funding round. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the investment will enable One Trading to enhance its infrastructure, technology, and product offerings, providing a more user-friendly alternative to traditional crypto derivatives.
As a MiFID II-compliant trading venue, One Trading adheres to a comprehensive set of regulations aimed at enhancing market transparency, protecting investors, and ensuring fair and orderly financial markets. The company’s CEO, Joshua Barraclough, expressed that the OTF license granted by the Dutch financial regulator after years of hard work and innovation positions One Trading as the only perpetual futures trading venue in the EU, including the UK. This milestone reflects the company’s vision to allow customers to go long or short on any asset, use any asset as collateral, settle transactions instantly, and perpetually roll contracts.
One Trading was originally known as Bitpanda Pro and was a subsidiary of the Austrian digital asset platform Bitpanda. In June 2023, One Trading underwent a spin-off from Bitpanda following a Series A funding round that raised €30 million. The funding round was led by Valar Ventures, with participation from Speedinvest, MiddleGame Ventures, Keyrock, and Wintermute Ventures. The spin-off marked a significant step towards establishing One Trading as a leading player in the crypto derivatives market, supported by strong partnerships and investor confidence.
The fresh investment from SC Ventures and existing backers will enable One Trading to further develop its infrastructure and technology, positioning itself as a key player in the EU’s crypto derivatives landscape. Alex Manson, CEO of SC Ventures, emphasized the importance of financial innovation without compromising consumer protection. This investment aligns with SC Ventures’ strategic focus on backing fintech companies driving positive change in the financial services industry. One Trading’s commitment to providing much-needed infrastructure to EU participants is a crucial step towards achieving financial innovation while ensuring regulatory compliance and market integrity.
In January 2024, Bitpanda launched Bitpanda Wealth, a platform tailored for European institutions and high-net-worth individuals seeking exposure to digital assets. This expansion underscores Bitpanda’s commitment to serving a diverse range of clients and catering to the evolving needs of the digital asset market. One Trading’s evolution from a Bitpanda subsidiary to an independent entity, along with its strategic investment from SC Ventures, highlights the continuous growth and innovation within the digital asset ecosystem. The company’s focus on simplicity, accessibility, and regulatory compliance positions it for sustained success and expansion in the competitive crypto trading landscape.
