- Merger of crypto exchanges and brokers, leading market change.
- Potential for expansive multi-asset investment platforms.
- Growth opportunities in US crypto derivatives market.

Crypto exchanges and traditional broker-dealers are witnessing increased merger and acquisition activity, according to Bernstein analysts on March 24. This shift sees platforms integrating to create all-in-one multi-asset networks.
The merging of crypto and traditional finance aims to provide broader asset availability, enhancing market accessibility. Analysts point out the significant growth potential in the US derivatives sector, expecting a wider availability of integrated financial products.
Integration of Financial Platforms Promises Asset Diversity
The emerging trend of crypto exchanges merging with traditional brokers marks a shift toward integrated platforms. Bernstein analysts report that as regulatory frameworks ease, the gap between these sectors is closing. Traditional brokers seek token offerings, while crypto exchanges plan to include equity and derivative products. This integration might revolutionize investment platforms, providing users with diversified assets in one place.
Increased M&A activity is reshaping the financial landscape, offering more extensive investment options. Enhanced collaboration between crypto and traditional brokers could lead to dynamic investment portfolios. With the US derivatives market poised for expansion, the future is set to provide more robust trading possibilities.
Public reaction varies, with industry leaders, such as Sam Bankman-Fried, highlighting the importance of derivatives. “Crypto derivatives are the single biggest ask of our customers,” Bankman-Fried from FTX remarked. Exploring the Emerging Market of Crypto Derivatives CME Group shows significant growth in derivative volumes, indicating strong public interest and transaction potential.
Bitcoin Market Trends and Regulatory Shifts
During 2024, centralized exchanges saw derivatives trading volumes reach $3.07 trillion, highlighting the growing significance of this market sector.
Bitcoin currently holds a price of $87,287.80, with a market cap of $1.73 trillion, maintaining a dominance of 60.70%. The fully diluted market cap stands at $1.83 trillion. The 24-hour trading volume is reported at $23.11 billion, showing a volume change of 127.78%. Recent price movements record a 2.80% increase over 24 hours, a 5.16% rise over 7 days, but a drop of 9.86% in 30 days. The maximum supply is capped at 21 million, with 19.84 million tokens circulating as of 2025-03-24, according to Matthew Sigel’s Commentary on Bitcoin Market Trends.
Experts at Bernstein emphasize how regulatory relaxation in the US may lead to significant changes in market infrastructure. This shift potentially increases accessibility to cryptocurrencies while broadening the scope of assets broker-dealers can offer. These developments, supported by data and historical precedents, signal a promising future for diversified investment avenues. Regulating Cryptocurrency Wallets and Exchanges: Broker-Dealers