Japanese crypto exchange Coincheck is pushing into Europe with the acquisition of Aplo, a Paris-based institutional digital asset brokerage regulated in France.
In an announcement on Tuesday, Coincheck said it had signed a stock purchase agreement under which all of Aplo’s issued and outstanding shares will be exchanged for newly issued Coincheck shares. The deal is expected to close in October.
Coincheck described the move as “the first step” in its broader strategy of acquiring retail and institutional crypto businesses outside Japan. The exchange added that it is also exploring further acquisitions both domestically and overseas to gain specialized expertise, licenses, and complementary technologies.
Aplo Brings Institutional Network and EU Credentials
Founded as a prime brokerage for digital assets, Aplo provides institutional clients—such as hedge funds, banks, and asset managers—with trading infrastructure and financing tools. It currently serves more than 60 active clients and is registered as a digital asset service provider with France’s financial regulator, the AMF. The firm is also working toward full compliance with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.
Under Coincheck, Aplo will expand its product suite, offering solutions such as cross-margining and deferred settlement, while also helping strengthen Coincheck’s liquidity across multiple jurisdictions.
Gary Simanson, CEO of Coincheck Group, said the acquisition provides access to “technology and expertise already trusted by European institutional investors,” adding that the firm plans to develop B2B2C offerings that will allow banks to provide crypto investing services to their own customers.
Monex Group Accelerates Growth Path
The deal marks another step in the global expansion strategy of Monex Group, Coincheck’s Tokyo-listed parent company. Monex has recently signaled plans to launch a yen-pegged stablecoin, with Chairman Oki Matsumoto warning that “if we don’t handle them, we’ll be left behind.”
Coincheck itself has been gaining momentum. In February, the exchange reported a 75% year-on-year jump in revenue for its fiscal third quarter, growth that the company credited to a successful merger and its Nasdaq debut in December 2024.