NYSE Owner ICE in Talks to Invest in MoonPay – Potential $5 Billion Valuation for Crypto Payments Firm

2025-12-19 05:52:21

Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE)—the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange—is reportedly in discussions to invest in cryptocurrency payments fintech MoonPay as part of an upcoming funding round, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The deal could value MoonPay at approximately $5 billion, a significant step up from its $3.4 billion valuation in a late-2021 round. MoonPay provides software infrastructure enabling seamless conversions between fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies, serving as a key on/off-ramp for retail and institutional users. This potential investment highlights growing interest from traditional financial giants in crypto-native payment solutions amid 2025’s regulatory progress and stablecoin adoption trends.

Details of the Reported ICE-MoonPay Investment Talks

The negotiations remain private, with no final terms or confirmation announced:

Investor: Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE owner).
Target Valuation: ~$5 billion.
Round Status: Close to completion.
Prior Valuation: $3.4 billion (2021 round).

An ICE investment would mark one of the most prominent TradFi entries into crypto payments infrastructure.

What Is MoonPay and Its Role in Crypto Payments?

MoonPay operates as a fiat-to-crypto gateway, offering:

On/Off-Ramps: Widget integrations for buying/selling crypto with cards, bank transfers, or local methods.
Global Reach: Supports 160+ countries and multiple payment rails.
Enterprise Tools: APIs for exchanges, wallets, and dApps.
User Base: Powers transactions for millions via partnerships.

The platform has become a standard backend for non-custodial wallets and DeFi frontends, emphasizing compliance and user experience.

Core Service: Simplifies crypto purchases without direct exchange accounts.
Growth Driver: Rising demand for seamless fiat integration in Web3.
Competitive Landscape: Alongside Ramp, Transak, and Stripe crypto features.

Why This Investment Matters for Crypto and Traditional Finance

An ICE stake in MoonPay could:

Bridge Markets: Connect NYSE infrastructure with crypto liquidity.
Boost Legitimacy: Signal mainstream validation for payment rails.
Accelerate Adoption: Enhance fiat-crypto interoperability.
Valuation Context: $5B reflects sustained demand despite 2022–2023 bear market.

This aligns with 2025 trends like bank stablecoin pilots and RWA growth.

In summary, reports of Intercontinental Exchange in talks to invest in MoonPay at a ~$5 billion valuation underscore deepening ties between traditional finance and cryptocurrency payments. As a leading fiat-to-crypto infrastructure provider, MoonPay stands to benefit from NYSE backing amid expanding global adoption. Monitor official announcements for confirmation and details on this potential landmark deal in crypto fintech.

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