The licensing of Quedex means hedge funds, miners, and institutions now have another crypto-investment option.

Crypto-futures Grow in Popularity

On Wednesday Quedex, a crypto futures and options exchange announced that it had obtained a license from the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC) to operate as a crypto derivatives exchange. Quedex will offer digital asset custodial services in the region and co-founder Wiktor Gromniak said: 

In order for the crypto industry to mature and to welcome more institutional investors into our tent it is of the essence that we create transparent financial markets and develop sophisticated financial products, such as futures and options.

The licensing process took 15 months and the exchange had to meet 9 regulatory principles before obtaining the license. Gromniak described the achievement with pride and said, “Being licensed by a very well respected and forward-thinking jurisdiction like Gibraltar is a landmark moment for this industry in general and Quedex specifically.”

Quedex aims to serve a wide array of investors, including hedge funds, institutions, and miners.

Crypto-Businesses Make Gibraltar Home

To date, Gibraltar is one of the first places to regulate the crypto-industry and it has become a hub for crypto-related businesses. Gibraltar’s minister of commerce, Albert Isola, explained: 

From early on in the process Quedex has shown admirable commitment to Gibraltar’s principles-based approach to regulation and I am pleased that they will join the growing group of licensed firms operating from Gibraltar in this evolving space.”

Isola said Quedex is now part of a “strong line up” of licensed blockchain companies that will “further develop crypto into a maturing and sustainable industry.” 

Yesterday, in what appears to be a bit of premature reporting, LedgerX also announced that it had launched physically-settled Bitcoin futures contracts after receiving a designated contract market (DCM) license last month. 

In June, CEX.IO exchange also received its license from the GFSC and now is qualified to operate as a licensed exchange in Gibraltar. Crypto-based ETFs, futures, and derivatives products are growing in popularity and analysts believe there is strong institutional demand for such products. 

Do you think crypto-derivatives products are the new frontier for cryptocurrency? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

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