Independent Reserve

Independent Reserve is an Australian cryptocurrency exchange founded in Sydney in 2013, making it one of the longest-continuously-operating regulated digital asset venues in the Asia-Pacific region. The exchange serves over 450,000 users across Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, and has never suffered a security breach in more than twelve years of operation.

Regulatory Standing

Independent Reserve holds a robust regulatory record spanning two jurisdictions. In Australia, it is registered with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) as a Digital Currency Exchange (registration number DCE-100461150-001). In Singapore, the exchange operates as a licensed Digital Payment Token (DPT) service provider under the Monetary Authority of Singapore's Payment Services Act (licence PS20200517). It earned that Singapore licence on October 1, 2021, becoming the first cryptocurrency exchange to receive MAS licensure. The exchange also carries a Digital Economy Council of Australia (DECA) Gold Certification.

On the security side, Independent Reserve has held ISO 27001 certification since 2021. Client funds are held in segregated accounts with cold storage distributed across multiple vaults, and the exchange conducts annual proof-of-reserves audits under Australian Accounting Standards, maintaining a full 1:1 reserve of all client assets. Two-factor authentication and a 72-hour withdrawal lock after any security changes are enforced at the account level.

Supported Assets

The exchange lists approximately 30 cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. Supported assets include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP, Polkadot (DOT), Chainlink (LINK), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Basic Attention Token (BAT), Dogecoin (DOGE), Pepe Coin (PEPE), and Solana-ecosystem tokens Bonk (BONK) and Dogwifhat (WIF). Deposits are accepted via bank transfer, PayID, Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal.

Fees

Spot trading fees range from 0.02% to 0.5% based on 30-day trading volume. AUD deposits and withdrawals via electronic funds transfer are free. USD and NZD deposits above A$5,000 are also free; deposits below that threshold carry a A$15 processing fee.

Platform Features

Independent Reserve provides several tools aimed at both retail and professional users:

• AutoTrader: Three automated purchasing strategies -- AutoBuy (recurring purchases on a schedule), AutoSchedule (calendar-based execution), and AutoBasket (systematic allocation across multiple assets) -- allow users to run rule-based investment programs without manual order entry.
• Leverage Trading: Up to 5x leverage is available on Bitcoin only, with a 0.1% daily interest fee on the borrowed amount.
• Multi-User Accounts: Account access supports configurable permission levels, making it suitable for use by family members, accountants, or trading teams who need differentiated access.
• API: A full trading API is available for developers and algorithmic traders, covering order management, market data, and account operations.

OTC Desk

For high-volume and institutional counterparties, Independent Reserve operates a dedicated over-the-counter desk handling trades from A$50,000 up to A$50 million per transaction. The desk offers competitive pricing and a private service distinct from the public order book, targeting institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals who require large-block execution without market impact.

Institutional Services

In Singapore, Independent Reserve operates a dedicated institutional offering under the MAS licence framework, covering digital payment token services with the compliance requirements mandated by the Payment Services Act. In Australia, the segregated-account structure and annual proof-of-reserves audit are designed to meet the due-diligence needs of professional and institutional clients.

IG Group Acquisition

In September 2025, IG Group Holdings plc -- a UK-headquartered global financial trading platform operator -- announced the acquisition of Independent Reserve. The deal was structured at a total enterprise value of approximately A$178 million. IG Group acquired an initial 70% stake for A$109.6 million in upfront consideration plus A$15 million in contingent payments tied to performance targets, with an option to acquire the remaining 30% at a valuation determined by 2027 and 2028 financial results. The transaction completed on January 30, 2026.

IG Group cited the acquisition as a strategic move to accelerate its entry into Asia-Pacific cryptocurrency markets, with plans to launch a crypto offering for customers in Australia, Singapore, and the UAE -- powered by Independent Reserve's infrastructure and team -- in the second half of 2026.

Recognition and Research

Independent Reserve was named Blockchain Organisation of the Year at the 2025 Blockies Awards, hosted by the Digital Economy Council of Australia in Melbourne on November 28, 2025 -- its third time winning the award. The exchange also publishes an annual Australian Independent Reserve Cryptocurrency Index (IRCI), a survey-based report tracking Australian attitudes toward cryptocurrency adoption, which has become a recognized benchmarking publication in the domestic market.

As of mid-2026, Independent Reserve continues to operate actively, publishing regular market commentary through its X account (@indepreserve) and company blog.