UK’s Archax Acquires U.S. Broker-Dealer

London-based digital asset exchange Archax has acquired a U.S. SEC/FINRA-registered broker-dealer, marking a significant milestone in the cross-border expansion of tokenized finance. The acquisition gives Archax a legal foothold in the American market and paves the way for the trading of tokenized stocks, bonds, and real-world assets (RWAs) under full U.S. regulatory compliance.

Archax is already licensed by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and is known for focusing on regulated tokenization of traditional financial instruments. With the acquisition, it becomes one of the few firms capable of operating under dual UK–U.S. regulatory frameworks.

The move highlights growing institutional interest in tokenized assets—financial instruments issued and traded on blockchain systems but backed by real-world value. This includes everything from real estate to corporate debt to government bonds.

By acquiring a registered broker-dealer, Archax can now offer U.S. investors access to tokenized products while ensuring compliance with securities laws, custody rules, and anti-money laundering requirements. This solves a major barrier that has hindered many crypto-native platforms from entering the U.S. institutional space.

For legal teams, the deal sets a precedent in terms of regulatory strategy. Rather than waiting for reform or applying for uncertain crypto licenses, Archax chose the M&A route to gain regulatory legitimacy. This could inspire similar acquisitions by global firms seeking entry into the U.S. market.

The deal also underscores the increasing relevance of tokenized RWAs. Institutional clients want to trade on-chain, but they require the legal clarity, custody standards, and investor protections that only licensed broker-dealers can provide.

As digital asset markets mature, regulatory convergence is becoming a competitive advantage. Firms with multi-jurisdictional licenses, interoperable platforms, and institutional-grade compliance will likely lead the next wave of growth in tokenized finance.