Australian CFD trading platform IG is preparing to expand into cryptocurrency trading in Australia with the acquisition of Independent Reserve, one of the country’s largest and most established digital asset exchanges.
The deal, worth A$178 million (£86.8m), gives IG a 70% stake in Independent Reserve, with the remaining 30% retained by its founders and management. Completion is subject to approval from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), expected in early 2026.
Founded in 2013, Independent Reserve has become a trusted name in Australia’s cryptocurrency trading sector, serving more than 450,000 customers including thousands of Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs). It is a registered Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) with AUSTRAC, with a reputation for regulatory compliance, robust security, and transparent governance. The exchange offers trading in 34 digital assets across multiple fiat currencies, and reported A$35.3m in revenue for the year ending June 2025, an 88% increase year-on-year.
For IG, the acquisition closes a key gap in its product range. While it launched crypto spot trading in the UK earlier this year, Independent Reserve gives the group an immediate foothold in Australia with a local brand trusted for more than a decade.
Independent Reserve CEO Adrian Przelozny said joining IG would “accelerate growth while maintaining our mission to provide secure, regulated crypto trading.”
Once the transaction completes, IG is expected to maintain the Independent Reserve brand in Australia while integrating its technology into IG’s wider trading platforms, making regulated crypto investing available alongside shares, AU forex trading, and derivatives.
IG currently operates in Australia under ASIC regulation, offering a broad range of trading services including CFDs on shares, indices, forex and commodities, as well as direct share trading on the ASX and global markets. The platform gives clients access to over 18,000 markets, with competitive spreads (as low as 1 point on the ASX200), and even weekend trading on select indices.
For investors, IG provides $0 commission on Australian shares and access to international equities with a small FX fee, making it attractive to both retail and self-managed super fund (SMSF) clients. Traders can use IG’s proprietary web and mobile platforms, or MetaTrader 4, backed by advanced charting tools, risk management features, and 24-hour customer support.
Alongside this, IG runs its IG Academy to educate clients and offers extensive market analysis, cementing its position as one of Australia’s leading online brokers.
Richard is the founder of the Good Money Guide (formerly Good Broker Guide), one of the original investment comparison sites established in 2015. With a career spanning two decades as a broker, he brings extensive expertise and knowledge to the financial landscape.
Having worked as a broker at Investors Intelligence and a multi-asset derivatives broker at MF Global (Man Financial), Richard has acquired substantial experience in the industry. His career began as a private client stockbroker at Walker Crips and Phillip Securities (now King and Shaxson), following internships on the NYMEX oil trading floor in New York and London IPE in 2001 and 2000.
Richard’s contributions and expertise have been recognized by respected publications such as The Sunday Times, BusinessInsider, Yahoo Finance, BusinessNews.org.uk, Master Investor, Wealth Briefing, iNews, and The FT, among many others.
Under Richard’s leadership, the Good Money Guide has evolved into a valuable destination for comprehensive information and expert guidance, specialising in trading, investment, and currency exchange. His commitment to delivering high-quality insights has solidified the Good Money Guide’s standing as a well-respected resource for both customers and industry colleagues.
