Cryptocurrency derivatives platform Deribit denies takeover report, Kraken said to have considered a bid

Cryptocurrency derivatives platform Deribit has received potential acquisition interest. Bloomberg reported Citing sources, Wednesday.

The report added that the company is working with Financial Technology Partners to review opportunities.

Deribit CEO Luuk Strijers told CoinDesk that the options platform has appointed FT Partners as an advisor for general advisory services and potential secondaries, in 2023.

“The interest in Deribit is partly due to the fact that we have continued to be the market-leading exchange for digital asset options trading,” Striggers said.

“In short, Derebit has not been put up for sale. Over time, we have received interest in strategic investments from a variety of parties, which we will not disclose,” Striggers added.

The company’s value could range between $4 billion and $5 billion or more, the report said, citing a person familiar with the matter. The report also added that cryptocurrency exchange Kraken reviewed the purchase of Deribit, but did not move forward with the offer.

A Kraken spokesman declined to comment on the report.

The current bull trend in the cryptocurrency market appears to have reignited M&A activity with major players such as Moonbay and String analysis After announcing two major acquisitions this week.

Updated (January 15, 08:05 UTC): Adds comment from a Kraken spokesperson.