ICE in Talks to Invest in MoonPay, Valuation Could Hit $5 Billion
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the operator of the New York Stock Exchange, is in discussions to invest in crypto payments company MoonPay, according to people familiar with the matter, as reported by Bloomberg. The potential funding round could value MoonPay at roughly $5 billion, up from its previous $3.4 billion valuation. The sources requested anonymity due to the private nature of the talks.
MoonPay, based in New York, provides infrastructure for users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. The company recently secured a Limited Purpose Trust Charter from the New York Department of Financial Services, a move that complements its existing BitLicense and allows it to expand custody and other crypto services in the state. The combination of these regulatory approvals positions MoonPay alongside companies such as Coinbase and PayPal, which are permitted to operate under New York's strict digital asset framework.
ICE Deepens Digital Asset Involvement
ICE's potential investment reflects its ongoing efforts to broaden its presence in the digital asset sector. The firm also operates Bakkt, a crypto platform, and has recently committed $2 billion to Polymarket, a prediction market platform. Analysts view these moves as part of a wider strategy by ICE to engage with emerging financial technologies.
CFTC Acting Chair Caroline Pham to Join MoonPay
The announcement comes amid leadership changes at MoonPay. Caroline Pham, the acting chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has confirmed she will join the company as chief legal officer and chief administrative officer after leaving the agency. Pham has played a key role in the CFTC's crypto initiatives over the past year, including the 'Crypto Sprint,' which aimed to clarify regulatory rules for digital assets. She also recently helped the agency withdraw guidance on the 'actual delivery' of digital assets, which she described as outdated.
Pham's move underscores the company's emphasis on compliance and regulatory expertise. CEO Ivan Soto-Wright praised her leadership at the CFTC, noting that her experience will help translate regulatory progress into practical outcomes for the company's users and partners. Pham's exact start date has not been confirmed, pending the confirmation of Mike Selig as CFTC chair.
Partnership with Rumble to Launch Wallet
Earlier this year, Rumble announced an exclusive partnership with MoonPay to launch Rumble Wallet, enabling creators to manage earnings outside traditional banking. The company said the wallet will allow users to buy, sell, and swap Bitcoin and other digital assets directly on the platform, leveraging MoonPay's infrastructure.