BitMEX is reportedly seeking a buyer for its business, according to sources cited by CoinDesk.

To facilitate this initiative, the company hired the boutique investment bank Broadhaven at the end of 2024.

The publication highlighted the potential wave of mergers and acquisitions in the crypto derivatives sector. Notably, Kraken and Coinbase have shown interest in acquiring Deribit, while Arbelos Markets joined FalconX in January.

In January, the operator of the crypto derivatives exchange BitMEX, HDR Global Trading Limited, was fined $100 million in the US for violating the Bank Secrecy Act.

According to court documents, Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo, and Samuel Reed founded BitMEX “around 2014.” A year later, Gregory Dwyer joined the organization as the business development director.

For an extended period, the exchange served US clients and operated through offices in the country without registration with the CFTC and without implementing AML programs.

Hayes and Delo pleaded guilty in February 2022, Reed reached a deal with authorities in March, and Dwyer followed suit in August.

BitMEX admitted guilt in July 2024.

In 2021, as part of settling a civil lawsuit with the CFTC, the exchange paid a $100 million fine.

The financial penalties imposed by the regulator on Hayes, Delo, and Reed amounted to $10 million each.