Crypto.com Expands into U.S. Equity Trading with Watchdog Capital Acquisition
Cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com has acquired Watchdog Capital, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered broker-dealer, in a strategic move to offer stocks and equity options to eligible American traders.
The acquisition of Watchdog Capital, which is also registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), marks a significant step in Crypto.com’s effort to bridge traditional and digital financial services under one platform.
“We are aggressively working towards integrating traditional financial tools with digital financial capabilities and are doing so while maintaining our focus on building responsibly with the necessary licenses and registrations to operate as the industry’s leader,” said Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com.
Founded by digital assets advocate Bruce Fenton, Watchdog Capital provides Crypto.com with the regulatory framework needed to expand its service offerings beyond cryptocurrencies. The move comes as part of a broader industry trend where crypto platforms are seeking to provide comprehensive financial services to meet growing investor demand.
Travis McGhee, Managing Director and Global Head of Capital Markets at Crypto.com, emphasized the importance of meeting modern trading needs: “Consumers and traders want to engage in the digital-first trading environment of today’s comprehensive market. With this latest acquisition, we take another big step forward in offering a top-tier global financial trading and services solution.”
The expansion follows several recent milestones for Crypto.com, including the launch of UpDown Options, its first CFTC-regulated crypto derivatives product, and a partnership with Standard Chartered Bank enabling fiat currency transactions in over 90 countries. The Singapore-based company, which claims more than 100 million users worldwide, will provide additional information about the new trading services to eligible customers in the coming weeks.
This development comes despite recent regulatory challenges, as Crypto.com recently initiated legal action against the SEC following a Wells notice from the regulator. The company has maintained its commitment to the U.S. market, citing growing bipartisan support for the crypto industry.
