In brief
- GFO-X, a regulated platform for centrally cleared Bitcoin futures and options, has launched in the UK with Financial Conduct Authority authorization, targeting the 90% of institutions currently unable to participate in crypto due to regulatory concerns.
- CEO Arnab Sen revealed “dozens” of Tier 1 institutions and banks including Nomura are in onboarding discussions, with the platform already executing its first institutional trade between Virtu Financial and IMC.
- The company aims to differentiate itself from US competitors like Coinbase-acquired Deribit and CME Group by offering 24/7 trading capabilities and options on the underlying Bitcoin index rather than on futures contracts.
A regulated trading platform for centrally cleared Bitcoin futures and options, GFO-X, has launched in the U.K. for the first time.
The company says its arrival comes against a backdrop of growing demand from institutional investors, including hedge funds.
The business has been authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority, and says it delivers “compliance with global financial standards.”
CEO and co-founder Arnab Sen told Decrypt that the regulatory environment in the U.K. is evolving constructively, with the government “actively progressing crypto and stablecoin regulation” so institutions can participate.
“Locating in the U.K. allows GFO-X to bridge traditional finance and digital assets, maximising capital efficiency while addressing the market’s call for safe, compliant venues,” he said in an email.
Sen anticipates high demand, and revealed that “dozens” of Tier 1 institutions and banks, including Nomura, are currently engaging in onboarding discussions.
GFO-X has also executed its first institutional trade, between Virtu Financial and IMC, which “signals confidence from key market makers.”
He hopes the business will cater to the 90% of institutions currently unable to participate in the digital assets space because of regulatory or market structure concerns. Sen said he’s expecting “meaningful volume growth” in the second half of 2025.
When asked whether competition from better-known U.S. competitors, like Deribit (which was just acquired by Coinbase) and Kraken, is a concern, Sen said GFO-X “provides a level of regulatory oversight and counterparty risk mitigation” that many American venues cannot.
But it’s not just crypto natives GFO-X will be competing with. There are traditional finance players, too.
“While U.S. venues like CME are well-established, GFO-X is specifically designed for digital asset derivatives, with Bitcoin index futures and options tailored for institutional use—notably offering options on the underlying index, which are more transparent and efficient to price than options on futures,” he explained.
Another “compelling edge” comes from how GFO-X can accommodate 24/7 trades, whereas legacy derivatives exchanges operate during business hours.
Sen described the FCA authorization process as “excellent,” a stark contrast to the frustration some crypto firms have expressed.
Edited by Stacy Elliott.
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