Options platform Deribit is attracting potential buyers amid a boom in cryptocurrency mergers and acquisitions

Options trading platform Dearbit It has reportedly attracted interest from potential buyers and is working with FT Partners to explore strategic opportunities, Bloomberg News reported on January 14, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The platform has seen a rapid rise in trading activity, with total trading volume nearly doubling to $1.2 trillion in 2024. As of this year, Deribit serves institutional clients directly through its Dubai-based entity, Deribit FZE, while operating a Panamanian retail services subsidiary. Clients.

FT Partners, which was initially retained in early 2023 to arrange secondary share sales to Deribit investors, has expanded its role to include evaluating potential bids for the entire company, the sources said.

While Deribit has not officially been put up for sale, the company has acknowledged receiving interest in strategic investments from various parties. The company said in a statement:

“Over time, we have received interest in strategic investments from a variety of parties, which we will not disclose.”

Kraken reportedly looked into acquiring Deribit but ultimately decided not to go ahead. One source estimates that Derebit’s valuation could range from $4 billion to $5 billion. FT Partners and Kraken declined to comment.

According to CoinGlass data, Deribit has recorded over $26 billion in monthly Bitcoin trading volume (Bitcoin) and Ethereum (Ethereum) Options contracts as of January 13.

Increased merger and acquisition activity

Interest in Deribit comes amid a surge in cryptocurrency-related mergers and acquisitions (M&A), fueled in part by a post-election rally in digital asset markets.

Publicly reported M&A activity in the cryptocurrency sector rose to $1.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, a sharp increase from $400 million during the same period a year earlier, according to Architect Partners.

Recent deals include cryptocurrency brokerage FalconX acquiring derivatives startup Arbelos Markets and acquisitions by com.MoonPay and String analysis.

President-elect Donald Trump’s positive stance towards digital assets has further boosted the industry. He promised to position the United States as a global hub for cryptocurrency innovation.

With significant interest from potential buyers and a thriving business model, Deribit is poised to play a central role in the next phase of M&A development in the cryptocurrency space.

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