GFO-X, the UK’s first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue dedicated to digital asset derivatives, has announced a partnership with Laser Digital to proceed with its UK expansion.
The Nomura-owned full-service digital asset firm specializing in trading, asset management, solutions, and early-stage investing will offer its extensive client base access to GFO-X’s centrally cleared digital asset futures and options products.
A regulated and centrally cleared trading venue for crypto derivatives in the UK
Laser Digital is a regulated Tier 1 financial institution which offers investors the confidence to navigate digital asset markets safely and in a compliant manner. GFO-X helps investors hedge and manage digital asset exposure via a full suite of cash-settled Bitcoin index futures and options contracts.
GFO-X and Laser Digital will provide easy access to wholesale trading via a roster of leading liquidity providers, OMS and EMS integrations, and derivative products cleared by LCH DigitalAssetClear. Investors can transact in size on the market or via single or multi-leg futures and options block trades.
Olivier Dang, Head of Ventures at Laser Digital, said, “We are thrilled to partner with GFO-X as they launch the UK’s first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue dedicated to digital asset derivatives. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision to drive innovation and growth in the digital asset market.”
Arnab Sen, Founder and CEO of GFO-X, said, “We are delighted to announce our strategic partnership with Laser Digital, Nomura’s digital asset subsidiary. This collaboration is a significant building block in our journey of launching the UK’s first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue dedicated to digital asset derivatives. Together, we aim to provide a secure and efficient trading environment for large Tier 1 institutions that combine TradFi best practices with crypto innovation. The evolving regulatory landscape and increasing institutional appetite for digital assets is driving this shift, and we are poised to meet the growing demand.”
GFO-X Authorized by UK FCA Since 2022
It was in late 2024 that GFO-X announced top-tier partnerships ahead of its official launch. ABN AMRO Clearing, IMC, Standard Chartered, and Virtu Financial joined forces with GFO-X to deliver the requirements necessary to grow the institutional digital asset index futures and options market.
Through LCH DigitalAssetClear, GFO-X ensures comprehensive risk management for digital asset derivative transactions. Backed by M&G Investments and authorized by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2022, its regulation-focused approach has attracted partnerships with major global financial institutions.
GFO-X anticipates significant growth in the digital asset futures and options markets as the asset class evolves and institutional participation increases. By addressing counterparty risks and technology challenges, it provides a robust market structure and innovative solutions to drive the next phase of digital asset ecosystem development.