FalconX has completed its acquisition of 21shares, marking a significant expansion of the company’s global digital asset capabilities across trading, asset management, and market infrastructure. The deal strengthens FalconX’s presence in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific while advancing its strategy to bring listed markets and digital assets closer together.
The company said the transaction significantly expands its product development and structuring capabilities as institutional demand for digital asset access continues to grow. With 21shares now operating under its umbrella, FalconX plans to leverage the firm’s history of exchange-traded product innovation to widen institutional access to crypto markets.
Founded in 2018, 21shares was an early mover in crypto ETPs and continues to operate as an independently managed business. Russell Barlow will remain CEO of 21shares and will collaborate closely with FalconX’s leadership team to grow the combined platform. FalconX said it does not plan to alter the construction or investment objectives of existing 21shares ETPs in Europe or ETFs in the United States.
The acquisition follows a series of strategic transactions that have transformed FalconX throughout 2025. In January, the company acquired Arbelos Markets, a crypto derivatives trading firm, thereby strengthening its derivatives business and reinforcing its leadership position in global crypto derivatives markets. In June, FalconX purchased a majority stake in Monarq Asset Management to support better clients seeking actively managed digital asset strategies and to diversify its portfolio of services.
FalconX said the addition of 21shares reflects an ongoing mission to shape the future of financial markets and broaden seamless access to crypto assets for institutions worldwide.
KEY QUOTES
“This acquisition enhances FalconX’s product and structuring capabilities and reinforces our position as a global financial leader.”
“The combination of FalconX’s institutional trading and risk management platform with 21shares’ leadership in exchange-traded products puts us in an even stronger position to accelerate innovation and broaden access to digital assets.”
Raghu Yarlagadda, CEO, FalconX
“In 2018, we launched one of the world’s first physically backed crypto ETPs in Europe. Since then, we have continued to pioneer product innovation, becoming the first to launch several crypto ETPs across multiple jurisdictions.”
“FalconX’s scale will allow us both to deliver greater offerings and services to our clients, while building on our shared values and our crypto-native roots.”
Russell Barlow, CEO, 21shares
