{{Short description|Australian digital currency exchange}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox company | name = Independent Reserve | logo = | type = Private | founded = {{Start date and age|2013|06}} <ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-01 |title=Current details for ABN 46 164 257 069 |url=https://abr.business.gov.au/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=abr.business.gov.au |language=en}}</ref> | founder = Adrian Przelozny, Adam Tepper | hq_location_city = Sydney, New South Wales | hq_location_country = Australia | area_served = 36 countries | key_people = | website = [http://www.independentreserve.com Independent Reserve] }}
'''Independent Reserve''' is an Australian-based digital currency exchange founded in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-08-02 |title=Crypto Exchange Gets Singapore Nod on Digital Token Services |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-02/crypto-exchange-gets-mas-in-principle-approval-for-dpt-services |access-date=2023-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Singapore leads in cleaning up the crypto industry |url=https://www.thebanker.com/Singapore-leads-in-cleaning-up-the-crypto-industry-1628263764 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.thebanker.com |language=en}}</ref> They are an order book exchange and an OTC desk.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-04 |title=Why Aussie crypto stars are certain Larry Fink is wrong |url=https://www.afr.com/technology/why-aussie-crypto-stars-are-certain-larry-fink-is-wrong-20221202-p5c3ai |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
== History == Independent Reserve was founded in June 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-19 |title=Shareholders in biggest Aussie crypto exchange fired up |url=https://www.afr.com/street-talk/shareholders-in-biggest-aussie-crypto-exchange-fired-up-20201119-p56fyt |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gimondo |first=Bianca |date=2023-03-24 |title=Bored Apes and bank rates: A look at cryptocurrency and NFTs in 2023 |url=https://themarketherald.com.au/bored-apes-and-bank-rates-a-look-at-cryptocurrency-and-nfts-in-2023-2023-03-24/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=The Market Herald |language=en-US}}</ref> by Adrian Przelozny and Adam Tepper.{{cn|date=November 2023}} It started operating in October 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-30 |title=Crypto exchanges Independent Reserve, Coinjar win regulation offshore |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/crypto-exchanges-independent-reserve-coinjar-win-regulation-offshore-20210930-p58w1i |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref> In February 2015, Adam died in a motorcycle accident<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Australian Associated Press |date=2015-02-28 |title=Australian bitcoin entrepreneur Adam Tepper dies in Thailand |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/01/australian-bitcoin-entrepreneur-adam-tepper-dies-in-thailand |access-date=2023-10-24 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and Adrian Przelozny took over as CEO.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-02-28 |title=Australian Bitcoin trader dies in Thailand |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-28/bitcoin-ceo-adam-tepper-killed-in-thailand/6271440 |access-date=2023-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Dominic |date=2022-12-04 |title=FTX fallout: Why running a crypto exchange just got a lot harder |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/entrepreneurship/ftx-fallout-why-running-a-crypto-exchange-just-got-a-lot-harder-20221202-p5c370.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> In 2018, Mike Tilley along with KTM Ventures invested into Independent Reserve for 25 percent of the company.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-31 |title=Australian Crypto Exchange Debuts in Singapore |url=https://www.finews.asia/finance/30861-australian-crypto-exchange-debuts-singapore-independent-reserve |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=finews.asia |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Crypto exchange joins elite group |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/crypto-exchange-joins-elite-group/news-story/4559096ef76ee775b83d7c30ccc12a4c |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=.theaustralian.com}}</ref>
In March 2018, the OTC desk was launched.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital Currency Exchange Opens OTC Desk For Institutions: Independent Reserve |url=https://mondovisione.com/media-and-resources/news/digital-currency-exchange-opens-otc-desk-for-institutions-independent-reserve/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=mondovisione.com}}</ref> In February 2019, Independent Reserve was the first Australian digital asset exchange to offer insurance on cryptocurrency assets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-24 |title=Crypto News: Australia Moves On Regulation |url=https://www.forbes.com/advisor/au/investing/cryptocurrency/crypto-news-australia/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Forbes Australia |language=en-US}}</ref> In January 2020, Independent Reserve announced its expansion into Singapore, citing regulatory conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-24 |title=Aussie Crypto Exchange 'Independent Reserve' Expands to Singapore {{!}} Finance Magnates |url=https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/news/aussie-crypto-exchange-independent-reserve-expands-to-singapore/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Financial and Business News {{!}} Finance Magnates |language=en}}</ref> In August 2021, the platform secured an approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore that will allow it to offer digital payment token services.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ruehl |first=Mercedes |date=2021-08-03 |title=Singapore to grant first crypto licence in bid to lure digital asset groups |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4b8aba07-6035-4bdb-a6bb-cb64624d0ac6 |access-date=2023-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff Reporter |date=2021-10-01 |title=Independent Reserve gets crypto licence from MAS |url=https://sbr.com.sg/financial-services/news/independent-reserve-gets-crypto-licence-mas |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Singapore Business Review |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Joyce |date=2021-10-01 |title=MAS grants crypto licences to DBS unit and Australian exchange; more licences expected to be issued |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/mas-grants-crypto-licences-to-dbs-and-australian-exchange-more-licences-expected-to |access-date=2023-10-24 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Swan |first=David |date=22 November 2022 |title=FTX's local users to lose 'very significant' sums |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/ftx-collapse-australians-lose-very-significant-sums/news-story/09c7267616cec7229d8bbb14e47f1529?amp&nk=831f8fc8efff35bd4e1699746eb76c8c-1697640612 |website=The Australian}}</ref>
In December 2021, Independent Reserve partnered with the Sydney Swans team and signed a one-year arrangement as the “Official Cryptocurrency Exchange of the Sydney Swans”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Badman |first=Rob |date=2021-12-06 |title='Go the Bloods'… Independent Reserve crypto exchange teams up with Sydney Swans |url=https://stockhead.com.au/cryptocurrency/go-the-bloods-independent-reserve-crypto-exchange-teams-up-with-sydney-swans/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Stockhead |language=en-US}}</ref>
In March 2023, Independent Reserve acquired a cryptocurrency exchange brand Bitcoin.com.au in a deal worth $3 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-22 |title=Crypto exchange buys Bitcoin.com.au brand for $3m |url=https://www.afr.com/technology/crypto-exchange-buys-bitcoin-com-au-brand-for-3m-20230322-p5cucv |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref> In August 2023, Independent Reserve signed a partnership with PayPal,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Badman |first=Rob |date=24 August 2023 |title=Money will become digital': Independent Reserve integrates PayPal payments |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/stockhead/money-will-become-digital-independent-reserve-integrates-paypal-payments/news-story/3266d1e9819a6736b245f42e9b09d24c |website=Herald Sun}}</ref> to enable users to send Australian dollars using a credit card or their PayPal account.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-23 |title=PayPal is shifting Aussie dollars onto crypto exchanges |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/paypal-is-shifting-aussie-dollars-onto-crypto-exchanges-20230822-p5dyhy |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2026, it was announced that Independent Reserve had been acquired by IG Group Holdings plc, with the transaction completing on 30 January 2026 following regulatory approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The acquisition, first announced in September 2025, formed part of IG Group’s expansion into regulated cryptocurrency trading and retained Independent Reserve as its underlying crypto trading infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-02 |title=IG Group Completes Independent Reserve Acquisition After MAS Approval - FinanceFeeds |url=https://financefeeds.com/ig-group-completes-independent-reserve-acquisition-after-mas-approval/ |access-date=2026-02-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Bitcoin.com.au== {{Infobox company | name = Bitcoin.com.au | type = private | founded = 2015 | hq_location_city = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | area_served = Australia | key_people = Adrian Przelozny (CEO) | website = https://bitcoin.com.au/ }} '''Bitcoin.com.au''' is an Australian cryptocurrency exchange platform founded in by Rupert Hackett,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=One group of Australians is making more money from Bitcoin than everyone else |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/one-group-of-australians-is-making-more-money-from-bitcoin-than-everyone-else-2017-8 |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> then purchased from Banxa by Independent Reserve in 2023.
On 20 June 2016, Bitcoin.com.au partnered with BlueShyft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blueshyft |date=2016-06-23 |title=Sitting down with our new partner, bitcoin.com.au |url=https://medium.com/@blueshyft/sitting-down-with-our-new-partner-bitcoin-com-au-3ddec29f6bea |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref>
On August 2, 2017, the platform raised $815,000 in series A funding to expand globally and added Ethereum and XRP to its exchange.<ref>{{Cite web |title=State Library of Queensland |url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/australian-bitcoin-exchange-startup-just-raised-815000-expand-globally-and-add-ethereum-its |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=www.slq.qld.gov.au |date=2 August 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-19 |title=This Australian Bitcoin exchange startup just raised $815,000 to expand globally and add Ethereum to its platform |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/this-australian-bitcoin-exchange-startup-just-raised-815000-to-expand-globally-and-add-ethereum-to-its-platform-2017-7#douBe0wcsHoJOJOU.99 |access-date=2023-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319040617/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/this-australian-bitcoin-exchange-startup-just-raised-815000-to-expand-globally-and-add-ethereum-to-its-platform-2017-7#douBe0wcsHoJOJOU.99 |archive-date=2018-03-19 }}</ref>
On July 13, 2018, Ben Ingram, an Australian PwC director, became the new CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-12 |title=An Australian PwC director has left to become CEO of a crypto advisory business |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/an-australian-pwc-director-has-left-to-become-ceo-of-a-crypto-advisory-business-20180713-h12mgo |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
In June 2020, the company partnered with Australia Post, making Bitcoin purchases available at any post offices across Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FinTech |first=Australian |date=2020-06-23 |title=Australia Post and Bitcoin.com.au launch a new partnership to pay for Bitcoin at Post Offices |url=https://australianfintech.com.au/australia-post-and-bitcoin-com-au-launch-a-new-partnership-to-pay-for-bitcoin-at-post-offices/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Australian FinTech |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-26 |title=Australia Post Now Lets Customers Pay for Bitcoin at Over 3,500 Outlets |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/australia-post-now-lets-customers-094542080.html |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref>
In March 2023, Bitcoin.com.au became a major sponsor of the Sydney Swans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Badman |first=Rob |date=2023-03-22 |title=New exchange platform and Sydney Swans sponsor Bitcoin.com.au aims to be an easy crypto on-boarder |url=https://stockhead.com.au/cryptocurrency/new-exchange-platform-and-sydney-swans-sponsor-bitcoin-com-au-aims-to-be-an-easy-crypto-on-boarder/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Stockhead |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-22 |title=NEWEST BITCOIN EXCHANGE HITS THE MARKET: BITCOIN.COM.AU |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/newest-bitcoin-exchange-hits-market-220000878.html |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-22 |title=Crypto exchange buys Bitcoin.com.au brand for $3m |url=https://www.afr.com/technology/crypto-exchange-buys-bitcoin-com-au-brand-for-3m-20230322-p5cucv |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-27 |title=Hamilton Locke Advises Independent Reserve on Acquisition of bitcoin.com.au Domain - Hamilton Locke |url=https://hamiltonlocke.com.au/hamilton-locke-advises-independent-reserve-on-acquisition-of-bitcoin-com-au-domain/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |language=en-US}}</ref> In the same month, the platform was purchased by a Sydney-based cryptocurrency company called Independent Reserve for $3M, as announced by its CEO Adrian Przelozny.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomsen |first=Simon |date=2023 |title=Crypto exchange Independent Reserve snaps up Bitcoin.com.au for $3 million |url=https://www.startupdaily.net/topic/cryptocurrency/crypto-exchange-independent-reserve-snaps-up-bitcoin-com-au-for-3-million/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=startupdaily.net}}</ref>
In August 2023, Bitcoin.com.au partnered with PayPal, becoming the first digital exchange in Australia to integrate with the mentioned platform as a funding option.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
== References == <references />
== External links == * [https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Financial_Technology_and_Regulatory_Technology/AusTechFinCentre/Final_report/section?id=committees%2Freportsen%2F024747%2F77283 Reform options for regulation of digital assets (Parliament of Australia)] {{Cryptocurrency exchanges}} Category:Australian companies established in 2013 Category:Financial services companies based in Sydney Category:Cryptocurrency exchanges Category:Cryptocurrency companies