NYSE Owner in Talks to Invest in Crypto Firm MoonPay: Report

Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE), the operator of the New York Stock Exchange, is reportedly in discussions to invest in the crypto payments company MoonPay, according to sources familiar with the matter. This potential funding round could increase MoonPay's valuation to approximately $5 billion, up from its previous $3.4 billion valuation.

MoonPay, based in New York, recently secured a Limited Purpose Trust Charter from the New York Department of Financial Services, complementing its existing BitLicense and allowing for expanded custody services in the state. This positions MoonPay similarly to regulated entities like Coinbase and PayPal in New York. ICE's interest aligns with its broader strategy to expand its digital asset presence, which also includes operating the crypto platform Bakkt and a recent $2 billion commitment to the prediction market platform Polymarket.

Separately, MoonPay announced that Caroline Pham, the acting chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will join the company as chief legal officer and chief administrative officer after leaving the agency. Pham's move highlights MoonPay's focus on regulatory expertise, as she was instrumental in the CFTC's crypto initiatives. The company also recently partnered with Rumble to launch a Bitcoin wallet for creators.

(Source：Bitcoin Magazine)