EDX Markets, an institutional-only crypto trading venue, has closed a $76 million Series C funding round. SBI Holdings, a Tokyo-listed financial group, led the investment, becoming a strategic investor in the U.S. exchange. The capital will fuel EDX’s expansion of trading, clearing, and settlement capabilities, as the firm stated in a press release.
This substantial funding underscores a critical trend: established financial players are increasingly backing regulated infrastructure for digital assets. It signals a concerted effort towards merging traditional finance with the burgeoning crypto landscape.
SBI Holdings drives digital asset expansion
SBI Holdings, a Tokyo-based financial group established in 1999, is actively building out its digital asset ecosystem. Yoshitaka Kitao, SBI Holdings’ chairman and president, stressed the importance of trusted market infrastructure in the announcement. He’s been a vocal proponent of digital assets and a Ripple board member since April 2019.
The group recently launched JPYSC on June 24, 2026, Japan’s first trust bank-backed yen stablecoin, issued by SBI Shinsei Trust Bank. This initiative allows up to 50% of reserves to be held in Japanese government bonds. SBI also handles U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins like RLUSD and USDC.
SBI’s crypto arm, SBI VC Trade, reached over 2 million registered accounts on July 6, 2026. The company also acquired a majority stake in Singapore’s crypto exchange Coinhako in July 2026, and agreed to buy Tokyo exchange Bitbank in June 2026. These moves underline its strategy to create a “global corridor for digital assets.”
EDX Markets strengthens institutional offerings
The newly secured capital will directly enhance EDX Markets’ services for its institutional clients. This includes expanding core trading, clearing, and settlement functions, alongside product development and global operations. Tony Acuña-Rohter, EDX Markets CEO, noted the investment strengthens their ability to provide market access for financial institutions engaging with digital assets.
Acuña-Rohter, promoted to CEO in December 2024 from CTO, previously served as CTO at ErisX. EDX Markets was founded in 2022 by a consortium including Citadel Securities, Virtu Financial, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Charles Schwab Corporation. Its U.S.-based spot exchange began trading Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash in June 2023.
In 2023, EDX launched EDX Clearing, a central clearinghouse designed to reduce settlement risk and boost price competition. Anchorage Digital provides the clearinghouse custody for this system. February 2026 also saw the introduction of EDX FlowConnect, a crypto-as-a-service product for firms to build their own trading offerings.
Pursuing regulatory clarity with EDX Trust
EDX Markets filed an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in April 2026 to establish EDX Trust. This proposed national trust bank would provide regulated digital asset custody, trade clearing, settlement, and risk management. The initiative aims to separate brokerage, exchange, and custody functions, mirroring traditional financial markets.
If approved, EDX Trust would operate alongside the existing EDX Markets and EDXM International, a Singapore-based perpetual futures exchange launched in May 2024 for non-U.S. clients. Acuña-Rohter believes an OCC charter offers a competitive advantage, as large banks will drive the next wave of crypto adoption. The OCC conditionally approved five other crypto trust bank applications in December 2025.
Implications for crypto’s institutional future
This $76 million funding round for EDX Markets, anchored by SBI Holdings, marks a pivotal moment for institutional digital asset trading. It underscores a growing confidence in regulated digital asset infrastructure. This confirms that institutional capital is prioritizing platforms offering security and robust clearing mechanisms.
For market participants, this investment could translate into enhanced liquidity and reduced counterparty risk on EDX Markets. The firm’s ability to scale operations and product development, backed by substantial capital, will likely strengthen its competitive position against other institutional venues. The partnership also promises broader international reach, leveraging SBI’s extensive network and stablecoin efforts in Asia.
This collaboration could facilitate smoother cross-border digital asset transactions and deeper integration between distinct financial ecosystems. The investment suggests that traditional finance and crypto are converging, with established players increasingly weaving digital assets into their core strategies. It reinforces the idea that firms focusing on regulatory compliance and investor protection will likely be the primary beneficiaries of the next phase of digital asset adoption.