The past year has been transformational for IG Group, the London‑listed trading platform best known for its spread‑betting and CFD services. In late September 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) granted IG a cryptoasset licence, making it the first UK‑listed firm to be admitted to the FCA’s register of cryptoasset providers. The licence allows IG to significantly expand its cryptocurrency offering: customers will be able to transfer digital assets directly in and out of the IG platform, alongside trading stocks, indices, ETFs, FX, commodities and derivatives on a single account. According to IG’s UK Managing Director Michael Healy, the licence gives clients “greater flexibility and control” and lets the company “bring more than five decades of market experience to help shape the future of the UK’s rapidly growing crypto sector”. Existing users who began trading crypto through a partnership with Uphold in June are being migrated to the regulated.

The crypto push caps a period of sweeping corporate adjustments. On 15 October 2025, IG announced that it had sold its U.S. derivatives venue, the Small Exchange, to Kraken for $100 million. The transaction generated a post‑tax gain of £73 million and allows IG to redeploy capital into strategic markets such as Australia, the UK and Asia. CEO Breon Corcoran said the exit marked a “significant return” on IG’s investment while preserving commercial ties through a distribution agreement with Kraken. The divestment comes as IG prepares to complete the A$178 million acquisition of Independent Reserve, a leading Australian crypto exchange, slated to close in early 2026 pending approvals. That deal will give IG an immediate foothold in two of Asia‑Pacific’s largest crypto markets and reflects management’s belief that digital assets will be a key growth driver.

Beyond licensing and divestments, IG is actively repositioning its core offerings. In Singapore, new CEO Gavin Chia told The Business Times that his goal is to transform IG from a CFD‑centric broker to a multi‑asset investment platform. The immediate priority is to enhance the IG Markets share‑dealing app, which already allows clients to trade equities and ETFs across major markets such as the US, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Chia explained that he wants to show investors that IG provides far more than leveraged CFDs. Plans include gradually adding new products, including cryptocurrencies, once the Independent Reserve acquisition closes. This multi‑asset push is designed to attract long‑term investors who seek a convenient, integrated platform for stocks, ETFs and digital assets.

IG has also been innovating with derivatives products. In October 2025, the broker introduced daily options on Tesla shares—contracts that expire on the same day they are issued. The product is reportedly the first of its kind for a single stock worldwide, allowing traders to take short‑term positions on Tesla’s volatile price swings. The launch coincided with the UK government’s “Leeds Reforms,” which aim to boost retail participation in financial markets and enhance London’s competitiveness. IG said the new options complement its wider campaign encouraging investment in UK‑listed companies. Collectively, the multi‑asset expansion in Singapore and the roll‑out of innovative options underscore IG’s strategy of diversifying its product suite and appealing to both retail traders and longer‑term investors.

IG’s corporate reshuffle also extends to its leadership ranks. In October 2025, the company appointed David Perry as its new Group Chief Technology Officer. Perry, a fintech veteran who previously co‑founded the crypto platform Ziglu, joined at a time when IG is investing heavily in digital‑asset services. His arrival followed the hiring of Michael Vaughan as CEO of IG North America a week earlier. The firm noted that Perry’s expertise across consumer digital sectors will be “instrumental” in executing its strategy to grow active customer numbers. The board emphasised that strengthening the C‑suite reflects IG’s pivot toward technology‑driven products and international expansion.

Together, the FCA licence, the Small Exchange sale and leadership changes suggest IG is executing a multi‑pronged strategy: divest non‑core assets, double down on regulated crypto services, and bolster management capability. For clients, the crypto licence promises more seamless asset transfers and an expanded product menu; for investors, the Small Exchange sale adds near‑term capital and reduces U.S. regulatory exposure. The company’s ability to integrate the Independent Reserve acquisition, manage regulatory obligations and maintain client trust will determine whether this pivot translates into sustained growth. Nonetheless, IG’s actions underscore how mainstream brokers are racing to offer digital‑asset services while adapting to new market realities.