Banking Giant Bets Big on EU's First Regulated Crypto Futures Platform

The European cryptocurrency exchange One Trading (formerly known as Bitpanda Pro) has just secured strategic funding from SC Ventures, the investment arm of Standard Chartered. This coincided with the digital asset platform obtaining new crypto authorization in the Netherlands.

SC Ventures Backs One Trading Following EU Crypto Derivatives Approval

One Trading plans to use the funds to launch the EU's first crypto perpetual futures as a MiFID II trading venue. This follows the company's July 2024 acquisition of an Organised Trading Facility (OTF) License from the Dutch Financial Markets Authority, establishing it as a MiFID II-compliant platform.

We are excited to announce that @scventuresDNA have made a strategic investment in @OneTradingEU. As part of this round, existing investor @middlegamevc have also increased its stake in One Trading, while Valar and @speedinvest also participated. pic.twitter.com/E73WTdbTvK

Until June of last year, One Trading operated as Bitpanda Pro, an independent section of the popular Bitpanda platform designed for more advanced users. However, the exchange announced a rebranding that coincided with securing €30 million in a funding round led by Valar Ventures.

We are delighted to announce @OneTradingEU has been granted an Organised Trading Facility (OTF) License by the Dutch financial regulator bringing crypto futures onshore in the EU.With this new licence, One Trading becomes the only perpetual futures trading venue in the EU. pic.twitter.com/hzkAVwmlce

“As a major, multinational bank with a commitment to innovation, SC Ventures is dedicated to driving digital assets market infrastructure. We welcome them as an investor in the company and believe they can add a lot of value to One Trading and our clients,” commented Joshua Barraclough, Founder and CEO of One Trading.

The regulatory approval positions One Trading as the sole provider of crypto perpetual futures trading in the EU and the first cash-settled perpetuals platform in Europe, including the UK. Notably, it will be the first regulated derivatives exchange in Europe accessible to retail clients.

“Financial innovation should not come at the cost of consumer protection, that’s why we are glad to see One Trading receiving the OTF License.,” said Alex Manson, CEO of SC Ventures. “We look forward to One Trading providing much needed infrastructure to all participants in the EU and further afield.”

The investment round, which closed on September 17, 2024, also saw participation from existing investor MiddleGame Ventures, as well as Valar and SpeedInvest. Financial terms were not disclosed.

In the meantime, Bitpanda currently positions itself not only as a cryptocurrency exchange but as a all-in-one investing platform for retail traders in Europe and MENA. Last month it extended partnership with CoinMENA to expand crypto asset services in the Middle East. Few months earlier, it reached a 5 million users milestone, increasing the overall client base by 500,000 in Q2 2024.