Acquiring an existing brokerage or cryptocurrency exchange is no longer just for Wall Street giants or Silicon Valley billionaires. In 2025, companies like Robinhood, Coinbase, and even regional players are snapping up licensed firms in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe to enter new markets in months instead of years. If you’ve ever wondered whether you, your company, or your investment group could do the same, this plain-English guide walks you exactly how it’s done today — without the jargon.
Why Buying Beats Building from Scratch in 2025
Building a regulated brokerage or crypto exchange from zero now costs $5-50 million and takes 18-36 months in most jurisdictions. Buying an existing licensed entity can cut that timeline to 3-9 months and save 40-70% of the capital, according to a 2024 PwC report on fintech M&A.
Real-world proof: Robinhood entered Indonesia in late 2025 by acquiring Buana Capital Sekuritas (a licensed stock broker) and a local crypto trader instead of applying for new licenses that could have taken two years.
Step 1: Define Your Target Market and License Needs
Ask yourself three simple questions:
- Which country or region do you want to serve?
- Do you need a full securities brokerage license, a crypto VASP registration, or both?
- What client assets are you planning to custody (stocks, forex, crypto, etc.)?
Popular “shelf companies” in 2025-2026:
- Indonesia (OJK securities + BAPPEBTI crypto license)
- Lithuania (EU crypto + EMI license, passportable to 31 countries)
- Singapore (MAS Capital Markets Services License)
- Dubai (VARA crypto license)
- Estonia (still active but slower approvals)
Step 2: Find Companies That Are Actually for Sale (Most Aren’t Public)
95% of licensed brokerages and crypto firms for sale never appear on public marketplaces. They are sold quietly through:
- Specialized M&A advisors (Capstone Partners, FT Partners, Armanino M&A)
- Law firms that maintain “shelf company” lists
- Telegram and WhatsApp groups used by regulators and owners in emerging markets
Pro tip: Search LinkedIn for “Chief Compliance Officer” + your target country + “exited” or “consultant” — many just sold their firms and will introduce you for a finder’s fee.
Step 3: Perform Lightning-Fast Due Diligence (30-45 Days)
Key items ordinary buyers miss:
- Hidden regulatory fines in local language documents
- Dormant user wallets with forgotten private keys
- “Change of control” clauses that let the regulator cancel the license if ownership shifts >30-50%
Use these tools in 2025:
- Crystal Blockchain for on-chain forensics
- Chainalysis KYT for historical transaction screening
- Local law firms that charge $30k-$80k flat for full regulatory due diligence
Citation: Chainalysis 2025 Crypto Crime Report shows 68% of acquired exchanges had undisclosed illicit flow in 2021-2023 — clean history is now the #1 price driver.
Step 4: Structure the Deal (SPA + Regulatory Approval Path)
Most deals in 2025 are structured as:
- 60-80% upfront in cash or crypto
- 20-40% earn-out tied to user migration or revenue milestones
- Escrow held 12-24 months for undisclosed liabilities
Regulatory bodies that approve fastest right now:
- Lithuania: 30-45 days
- Indonesia BAPPEBTI: 45-90 days
- Dubai VARA: 60-120 days
Step 5: Close, Migrate Users, Rebrand
Typical timeline after regulatory green light:
- Week 1-4: Migrate client accounts and KYC data
- Week 5-8: Launch new branding (Robinhood did this in Indonesia in under 60 days)
- Month 3-6: Cross-sell your global products to the new user base
Real Costs in 2025 (Transparent Numbers)
| Item | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price (clean license) | $1.2M | $18M |
| Legal & due diligence | $80k | $450k |
| Regulatory approval fees | $15k | $200k |
| Tech migration & rebranding | $150k | $2.1M |
| Total | ~$1.5M | ~$21M |
(Data aggregated from 41 closed deals tracked by CryptoM&A.io, Q1-Q4 2025)
Final Reality Check
Yes, an individual with $2-3 million in liquid capital can still buy a regulated brokerage in 2025-2026 — but only if you move fast, partner with the right local lawyers, and accept that the cheapest deals always have hidden problems.
Robinhood didn’t become the first major U.S. broker in Indonesia by inventing the wheel — they bought one that was already spinning.
If you’re seriously considering this path in 2026, start with a 15-minute call with a lawyer who has closed at least three similar deals in the last 12 months. Everything else flows from there.
Ready to explore real companies currently available? Drop a comment below or DM — we keep an updated (non-public) list for qualified buyers only.
(Originally published December 2025 – fully updated with 2025-2026 deal data)
