Archax to expand EU footprint with Deutsche Digital Assets acquisition

The move extends the exchange’s geographical and regulatory presence in the EU and follows growing traction for digital assets and crypto exchange-traded products in the UK market in recent months.  

The UK’s first regulated digital securities exchange, Archax, is set to acquire Germany-based digital asset manager, Deutsche Digital Assets (DDA), as part of a push to expand the exchange’s EU footprint. 

Graham Rodford

The exchange has said that the acquisition will allow Archax to expand into Germany and France, as well as enhance its regulatory stack with the additions of advisory, distribution, portfolio management and contract brokerage permissions. 

Specifically, DDA currently holds approximately $70 million assets under management (AUM), and its offering covers crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs), institutional products as well as distribution channels connecting banks and asset managers across Europe.  

“Archax is an ambitious business, and we believe that our regulatory structure is on the way to becoming one of the most extensive in the digital asset industry, and acquiring DDA furthers that ambition,” said Graham Rodford, chief executive and co-founder of Archax. 

“Germany and France for example, two of the largest and most regulation-driven markets in Europe, are covered via DDA’s existing structure and relationships.” 

Read more – Aberdeen Investments, Lloyds Banking Group and Archax leverage digital assets in UK-first trade 

The move is set to complement the increasing growth of digital assets and crypto ETPs in the UK market in recent months, with both Euronext and Cboe Clear Europe expanding to add the services to their offerings, following the Financial Conduct Authority’s approval of UK listings of crypto ETPs in early 2025.  

Maximilian Lautenschläger, managing partner at DDA said: “Joining their [Archax’s] family creates incredible synergy: we bring deep access to institutional investors across Germany, France, and Switzerland who are actively looking for tokenised products.  

“At the same time, Archax opens the door to the UK market, where crypto ETPs are now gaining momentum among professional and soon, retail investors. Together, we’re building what we believe will become the leading European digital asset champion.” 

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