The acquisition marks FalconX’s third major deal of 2025, following its purchases of crypto derivatives platform Arbelos Markets and a majority stake in Monarq. Crypto prime broker FalconX has agreed to acquire 21Shares, the world’s largest issuer of crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs). By joining forces, FalconX and 21Shares aim to develop new regulated digital asset investment products that appeal to both institutional and retail investors, the company said in an announcement shared with Cointelegraph. “21Shares has built one of the most trusted and innovative product platforms in digital assets,” said Raghu Yarlagadda, CEO of FalconX. “We’re witnessing a powerful convergence between digital assets and traditional financial markets, as crypto ETPs open new channels for investor participation through regulated, familiar structures.” Read more
Rising institutional interest in crypto may include the settlement sector, especially stablecoins, which have seen a 55.5% growth in market cap in one year. FalconX, a digital asset prime brokerage that says it has executed over $1.5 trillion in trading volume, has joined Crypto.com, Galaxy, Wintermute and others as a launch partner for Lynq, a platform that aims to be a settlement layer for digital asset and financial institutions. The launch of Lynq could underscore growing institutional interest in digital assets as regulatory clarity improves. FalconX, which says it access to over 400 tokens, will “act as both a participant and a liquidity provider on the Lynq network,” Lynq CEO Jerald David told Cointelegraph. Lynq, developed in partnership with Arca Labs, Tassat Group and tZERO Group, aims to provide a solution that deals with evolving regulatory frameworks and counterparty risk, according to a Tuesday announcement. Those issues may be important to institutions that adhere to strict regulations and are ...
FalconX has made other moves in 2025, acquiring derivatives startup Arbelos Markets and partnering with Standard Chartered. Crypto prime broker FalconX has reportedly acquired a majority stake in Monarq Asset Management’s parent company, previously owned by bankrupt exchange FTX. According to a June 2 report from Bloomberg, the move seeks to expand the firm’s institutional client base and broaden its asset management services. Monarq Asset Management, formerly known as MNNC Group, is a Cayman Islands-registered fund. Prior to operating as MNNC, the hedge fund was known as LedgerPrime and was part of the FTX empire before the exchange’s collapse. Terms of the deal between FalconX and Monarq’s parent company were not disclosed. Read more
After a year of planning, Cantor Fitzgerald activates crypto lending arm with first Bitcoin-collateralized deals. Wall Street financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald has closed its first Bitcoin lending deal nearly a year after announcing its crypto lending services. According to a May 27 Bloomberg report, Cantor provided Bitcoin-backed loans to FalconX and Maple Finance. FalconX, a digital asset broker, said it secured a facility worth over $100 million as part of a “broader credit framework,” while Maple Finance reportedly closed the first tranche of an agreement with Cantor. The service allows companies holding Bitcoin to borrow funds and use the cryptocurrency as collateral, providing a way to unlock liquidity without selling their BTC holdings. Cantor announced its Bitcoin financing business with an initial capital of $2 billion in July 2024, targeting institutional investors seeking to leverage their Bitcoin. At the time, the company said Anchorage Digital and Copper would serve as custodians and collateral ma...