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Deribit, a leading crypto options exchange, is evaluating acquisition offers, citing strategic investment interest from unnamed parties.
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Kraken explored a potential $4–$5 billion deal but didn’t proceed, leaving other buyers’ intentions undisclosed.
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Despite strong trading volumes, Deribit faces challenges like relocation and low demand for new crypto options products.
Crypto options exchange Deribit considers acquisition amid fluctuating market conditions, with Kraken previously showing interest in a $4–$5 billion deal.
Deribit May See Acquisition
Deribit, a crypto derivatives exchange that has been operational since 2016, is finally considering acquisition bids. According to a report, Kraken considered purchasing Deribit for between $4 and $5 billion but didn’t commit to the prospect.
Since then, no other major buyer has publicized their intentions, but the firm alluded to ongoing interest.
“In short, Deribit 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,” the company said in a statement.
Even though the company is considering an acquisition deal like this, Deribit remains one of the largest options exchanges. The firm’s trading data is a key metric for identifying market trends, even in 2025. The company also claimed its total trade volume nearly doubled last year.
However, Deribit has faced its fair share of issues, despite its healthy revenue streams. For example, the Dutch company left the EU market in 2020 due to regulatory issues, moving to Panama before relocating again to Dubai in 2023.
Additionally, the firm’s plan to offer attractive new crypto options fell flat due to low volatility in these offerings. New derivatives products like Bitcoin ETF options are seeing huge inflows, representing a dynamic market shift.
“The $4B-$5B valuation’s no joke, especially when you consider the $1.2 trillion in volume it controls. With the Trump administration setting up crypto-friendly vibes and M&A deals popping off, this could be the perfect moment for Deribit to make a major move. Crypto’s getting more legit every day, and Deribit’s right in the thick of it,” Mario Nawfal wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
In this market environment, Deribit is not the only options exchange to consider a buyout deal. Two weeks ago, FalconX planned to buy out Arbelos Markets after posting a very profitable quarter. FalconX’s CEO predicted a wave of consolidation and acquisition in 2025, and Deribit may be part of it.
However, any prospective deal is still in the early stages. The firm didn’t give any further clues to the future, but apparently, it hired Financial Technology Partners LLC in 2023 to help arrange secondary stock sales.
For whatever reason, Deribit updated this mandate to include complete acquisition deals. Its underlying motives are still largely uncertain.
Conclusion
The ongoing evaluation of acquisition offers by Deribit signifies a pivotal moment for the crypto options market. As consolidation becomes more prevalent, this could lead to new opportunities and challenges for major players in the industry. Understanding these market shifts is crucial for investors looking to navigate the evolving crypto landscape.
