Nasdaq-powered crypto platform DX.Exchange shuts down; on lookout for merger or acquisition

Quick Take

  • Estonia-registered crypto platform DX.Exchange has shut down less than a year after its launch 
  • The firm is looking for either a merger or acquisition deal 
  • After the publication of this story, Daniel Skowronski of DX.Exchange told The Block that he is still CEO of the firm and that “scam” reports are “ridiculous” 
     

DX.Exchange, a cryptocurrency and tokenized securities trading platform, is shutting down just nine months after its launch.

The Estonia-registered platform, which is built on Nasdaq’s matching engine and market surveillance technology, announced Sunday that it is closing operations as it pursues a merger or outright sale.

“The costs of providing the required level of security, support and technology is not economically feasible on our own,” said DX.Exchange.

The exchange has, therefore, blocked all deposits and suspended trading on its platform. It has also asked users to withdraw funds by Nov. 15.

If a merger or acquisition does not take place in a timely manner, then the exchange could stop operations permanently, per the announcement. But it is hopeful for a deal as it wants to achieve “success for its shareholders and compete in this challenging market.”

DX.Exchange CEO Daniel Skowronski's LinkedIn showed that he left the firm in October, according to his profile. Notably, he also ran a separate business YIPO Technologies along with DX.Exchange, and now continues to run the business, per the profile.

THE SCOOP

Keep up with the latest news, trends, charts and views on crypto and DeFi with a new biweekly newsletter from The Block's Frank Chaparro

By signing-up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
By signing-up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Reached by LinkedIn message, Skowronski told The Block that he was still CEO, and had "fixed" his LinkedIn to show the position, which he has amended since publication. "I am of course still with DX," he said.

DX.Exchange launched its platform in January of this year, and offered trading in cryptocurrencies as well as tokenized securities such as stocks of Tesla and Apple and exchange-traded funds or ETFs like Invesco QQQ and SPDR S&P 500. However, it appears that the firm has scrubbed any mention of tokenized securities on its platform as it is no longer referenced on its website.

When asked, Skowronski told The Block: "We have applied for an MTF (multilateral trading facility) exchange license and about to be granted under a different entity. Our intention was to move the digital stocks to the MTF. So they were removed from the website until then. The Security Token trading would fall under the MTF too."

DX.Exchange has staff in the range of 51-200, according to its LinkedIn page. Skowronski told The Block that the firm has been "cutting staff down but still have the vital employees to help with the transition who also might end up with the new company."

Some people on social media platforms are calling DX.Exchange "an exit scam." Earlier this year, CCN reported that Limor Patarkazishvili, the sole shareholder of DX.Exchange, owned 90% of binary options platform SpotOption, which shut down last year after the Israel Securities Authority passed legislation banning binary options sales outside of the country. Skowronski told The Block that the scam claims are "ridiculous."

In Sunday's announcement, DX.Exchange said: "ALL client FUNDS are SAFE and need to be returned to allow a merger/sale to proceed."


UPDATE: This story has been updated to include comments from Daniel Skowronski, CEO of DX.Exchange.


© 2023 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

About Author

Yogita Khatri is a senior reporter at The Block, covering all things crypto. As one of the earliest team members, Yogita has played a pivotal role in breaking numerous stories, exclusives and scoops. With nearly 3,000 articles under her belt, Yogita holds the records as The Block's most-published and most-read author of all time. Prior to joining The Block, Yogita worked at crypto publication CoinDesk and The Economic Times, where she wrote on personal finance. To contact her, email: [email protected]. For her latest work, follow her on X @Yogita_Khatri5.