GCEX Group has acquired GlobalBlock, a crypto brokerage specializing in wealthy clients with more than $60 million in assets under management.
The deal pushes GCEX beyond its core over-the-counter trading business into wealth management services for high-net-worth individuals. GlobalBlock's client base adds to GCEX's existing institutional trading platform, which already serves professional traders across multiple jurisdictions.
GCEX operates under licenses from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority, Denmark's Financial Supervisory Authority, and Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. The company plans to use these regulatory approvals to speed up client onboarding for GlobalBlock's wealth management customers.
Firms Combine Technology Platforms
GlobalBlock brings AI-powered fund management tools to the partnership, including its GB10 product that tracks the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. The firm rebalances these portfolios monthly and offers customized digital asset strategies through a mobile app.
GCEX already provides institutional clients with CFDs on digital assets, foreign exchange trading, and spot crypto conversion services. The company's XplorDigital suite includes white-label solutions for other brokers looking to add crypto services.
"Acquiring GlobalBlock is a strategic leap forward for GCEX, expanding our footprint, our client base, our team, and our capabilities," said Lars Holst, founder and CEO of GCEX Group. "GlobalBlock's founders have built a standout, profitable firm, with world-class products, providing innovative diversification strategies for clients."
Related: GCEX Launches Mobile Trading App for Institutional Crypto and FX Clients
Competition Intensifies for Crypto Wealth Services
The acquisition comes as traditional wealth managers increasingly compete with crypto-native firms for affluent clients seeking digital asset exposure. GlobalBlock's founders previously built Peregrine & Black Investment Management, which manages over £500 million across UK and Bermuda operations.
David Thomas, GlobalBlock's co-founder, said the deal allows the firm to expand while keeping its brand. "Their strong regulatory licenses and global reach perfectly complement our business model," Thomas said. "This partnership allows us to expand our wealth management and digital asset solutions while continuing to operate under the GlobalBlock brand that our clients trust."
The combined firm will compete with established players like Galaxy Digital and newer entrants offering crypto services to wealthy investors. Traditional banks have also started adding digital asset capabilities, putting pressure on specialized crypto firms to scale their operations.
