Standard Chartered-backed crypto platform Zodia Markets secures FCA registration

Zodia Markets, a UK-based institutional-grade crypto brokerage and exchange platform, has officially been registered as a cryptoasset firm by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the company said in a press release.

With its business in the UK’s Financial Services Register, Zodia Markets also officially debuted its institutional-focused crypto business in the UK. The company is also launching in the European Union, the crypto platform revealed in details shared on Thursday show.

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A landmark achievement

Zodia Markets launched in June 2021, and is backed by global financial services provider Standard Chartered (STAN)- which has also ventured firmly into the blockchain space with multiple projects, including Olea. Zodia Markets was unveiled via the bank’s venture arm SC Ventures and in partnership with Asia’s top digital assets provider BC Technology Group.

The trading venue’s FCA registration is thus a landmark achievement for regulated crypto brokerages, with this the first of FCA-approved project to count a global financial institution as its main backer.

Usman Ahmad, the CEO of Zodia Markets, said in a comment: 

“With our hugely experienced team of professionals from both digital asset and traditional finance backgrounds, and by providing the highest standards of security, risk and compliance integrated from inception, we meet the demands of institutions seeking a credible and reliable trading partner for cryptoassets. The FCA registration is a testament to our commitment to the highest standards of compliance.”

The Zodia Markets exchange and brokerage solutions offer customers access to “high-throughput, low-latency matching engine” via application programming interface (API) that tap into the same trading standards applicable in stocks, forex and other traditional markets..

Customers also enjoy bespoke corporate-level services, including intelligent quote requests and high-quality custody solutions.