Coinbase looked to acquire FTX Europe despite bankruptcy baggage

Crypto exchange Coinbase reportedly showed interest in acquiring the European subsidiary of bankrupt FTX, Fortune reported on Sept. 22.

Coinbase reportedly considered acquiring FTX Europe following its collapse last November and continued to explore this possibility even into this month. This interest was part of Coinbase’s strategy to expand its global presence in the crypto derivatives market.

A Coinbase spokesperson told Fortune that the Brian Armstrong-led platform was always looking for “opportunities to strategically expand” its businesses around the globe. The exchange has yet to respond to CryptoSlate’s request for additional commentary.

Meanwhile, other prominent crypto ventures, such as Crypto.com, Trek Labs, and FTX FDM (the Bahamian entity of FTX currently undergoing liquidation proceedings), have also expressed a keen interest in acquiring FTX Europe.

FTX Europe gained a significant advantage by obtaining a coveted derivatives trading license following the grant of a Cypriot regulatory license. The license allowed the firm to be the only one to offer a popular form of crypto derivates called perpetual futures in the European market

This positioned FTX Europe ahead of competitors, particularly those facing regulatory uncertainties in the United States.  Earlier this year, Coinbase and Gemini found it necessary to launch international crypto derivatives platforms catering to traders outside the U.S.  This underscores the growing importance of derivatives trading for crypto exchanges’ business strategies.

FTX Europe is still for sale as its bankrupt parent company, FTX, reportedly said it was exploring the possibility of the “sale of some or all of the assets of the FTX Europe business.”

It should be noted that FTX Europe is facing legal proceedings from the John Ray III-led parent company, which is trying to recover assets for the estate creditors.

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