SGX Acquires FX Trading Platform MaxxTrader

Singapore Exchange (SGX), Asia’s largest foreign exchange derivatives marketplace, is further extending its reach into the FX over-the-counter space by fully acquiring the single source and direct-to-market FX trading platform, MaxxTrader.

SGX will acquire MaxxTrader from FlexTrade Systems for a cash consideration of approximately $125 million. The acquisition is expected to be completed by December 2021 and will accelerate SGX’s plan to build an integrated FX ecosystem and marketplace that facilitates global access to OTC and on-exchange currency derivatives.

Headquartered in Singapore, MaxxTrader is a leading provider of FX pricing and risk solutions for sell-side institutions including banks and broker-dealers, as well as a multi-dealer platform for hedge funds. Since the company’s incorporation in 2008, MaxxTrader has built a strong, global client and dealer franchise with over 100 global banks, regional banks, broker-dealers and hedge funds currently connected to its platform. Its average daily volume has also grown during this time to over US$17 billion.  

MaxxTrader’s strong sell-side client base complements the buy-side clientele of BidFX, a leading cloud-based provider of electronic FX trading solutions which SGX acquired last year. Together, these acquisitions form part of SGX’s multi-phase strategy in building an integrated Asian FX marketplace for global investors.

SGX CEO Loh Boon Chye said: “Since SGX expanded from FX futures to the global FX OTC market, we continue to cement our footprint in this fast-growing and sizeable US$6.6 trillion-a day global market. We are excited to acquire MaxxTrader, which further enhances our FX OTC offering and widens our customer base across the sell- and buy-side.”

“Our next step is to offer clients a full suite of FX futures and OTC solutions, by building a primary FX OTC marketplace anchored in Singapore. In turn, this would accelerate our vision to create fungible and convenient access for diverse, global customers to different pools of liquidity under one integrated platform on SGX, and build Asia’s largest one-stop venue for international FX OTC and futures participants,” Loh added.