Portofino secures FCA registration for OTC crypto services in the UK
“With this latest certification, Portofino Technologies is now registered to provide OTC services in both the UK and Switzerland, solidifying our position as one of the most regulatory compliant cryptocurrency market makers globally.”
Portofino Technologies has successfully registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in order to engage in cryptocurrency transactions with institutional investors in the United Kingdom.
Offering liquidity solutions on major cryptocurrency exchanges, Portofino has seen its over-the-counter (OTC) business grow significantly as it provides competitive prices and deep liquidity across numerous tokens.
With the FCA registration, Portofino will enhance its ability to serve major banks, trading platforms, brokers, and institutional investors in the UK, all under stringent compliance and risk management frameworks.
Registered to provide OTC services in both the UK and Switzerland
Alex Casimo, Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer, Portofino Technologies, said: “Receiving the FCA’s approval to operate as a cryptoasset trading firm in the UK is a significant milestone for Portofino Technologies, which will allow us to expand our institutional client base. After having successfully built our product for on-exchange trading, Portofino sees the growth of its client franchise as a significant profit driver for the company in the coming years. With this latest certification, Portofino Technologies is now registered to provide OTC services in both the UK and Switzerland, solidifying our position as one of the most regulatory compliant cryptocurrency market makers globally.”
Celyn Armstrong, General Counsel and Head of Compliance, Portofino Technologies, commented: “The FCA rightly sets a high bar for cryptoasset firms seeking registration, and we are proud to have successfully demonstrated our strong and sophisticated compliance controls. Our traditional finance and digital asset clients alike can have full confidence that we are committed to stringent regulatory compliance and risk management standards.”
Portofino founded by ex-Citadel Securities executives
Portofino is a Swiss-based high-frequency trading (HFT) platform specializing in digital assets founded in 2021 by former Citadel Securities leaders, Leonard Lancia and Alex Casimo, who have since raised over $50 million in funding to enhance digital asset adoption among institutional investors and Web3 companies.
The firm is backed by notable investors including Valar Ventures, Global Founders Capital, and Coatue. Portofino’s technological infrastructure aims to provide liquidity across centralized and decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges, benefiting institutions and Web3 projects requiring digital asset liquidity. The firm processes billions of dollars across various cryptocurrency venues and assembles a global team of 35 HFT specialists.
