In a significant move that underscores growing institutional confidence in the cryptocurrency sector, London-listed private equity firm Bridgepoint has agreed to purchase a majority stake in digital asset services provider HT Digital for approximately £200 million.
Major Investment in Crypto Infrastructure
Bridgepoint, the investment group behind popular casual dining chain Itsu, will officially announce the acquisition on Tuesday, according to exclusive information obtained by Sky News. The deal represents one of the most substantial private equity investments in Britain's burgeoning cryptocurrency services industry to date.
The transaction sees Bridgepoint taking a controlling interest in HT Digital (HT), a specialist provider of assurance and technology services for the digital assets sector. The company boasts an impressive client portfolio of more than 700 organisations, including some of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, along with traditional asset managers and banks seeking exposure to the crypto market.
Strategic Move Amid Market Volatility
This strategic acquisition comes despite recent turbulence in cryptocurrency markets that has erased hundreds of billions of dollars from the sector's collective value in recent weeks. The downturn has notably affected prominent figures including former President Donald Trump's family wealth.
Rather than investing directly in volatile crypto assets, Bridgepoint has opted for a more measured approach by backing a company that provides essential compliance and audit services to the industry. This positions the private equity firm to benefit from the sector's growth while mitigating exposure to dramatic price swings.
HT Digital operates from three international locations - London, Malta and the Cayman Islands - under the leadership of Chief Executive Nicholas Newman. The firm recently joined BKR International, a global network of independent accounting and advisory practices.
Growth Trajectory and Market Position
The company emerged as a separate entity from accounting group Harris & Trotter in 2023 and has since experienced rapid expansion. HT Digital has successfully onboarded numerous new clients across cryptocurrency exchanges, blockchain platforms and institutional investors seeking to navigate the complex regulatory landscape.
Bridgepoint identified an opportunity to become an early private equity investor in a sector facing increasingly stringent regulatory scrutiny worldwide. The firm's investment strategy focuses on supporting businesses that provide the essential infrastructure required for mainstream cryptocurrency adoption, rather than speculative asset purchases.
When approached for comment, Bridgepoint maintained its corporate silence, declining to discuss the impending announcement. The deal nevertheless signals growing confidence among traditional financial institutions in the long-term viability of digital assets, despite short-term market fluctuations.
