Archax review

What is Archax?

Archax is a London-based digital asset exchange, brokerage, and custodian that specializes in regulated access to both cryptocurrencies and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) founded in 2018. It was the first digital asset firm to be regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) across multiple roles—exchange, broker, and custodian. Designed for institutions but accessible to qualified individuals, Archax operates at the intersection of traditional finance and blockchain technology, aiming to bring tokenization into the mainstream.

Supported cryptocurrencies

Archax supports a curated list of major cryptocurrencies, with a focus on regulatory compliance and deep liquidity. While the platform doesn’t publicly list every coin, it includes core assets suitable for institutional portfolios:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• USD Coin (USDC)
• Tether (USDT)
• Polygon (MATIC)
• Algorand (ALGO)
• Hedera (HBAR)
• Solana (SOL)
• XDC Network (XDC)
• Stellar (XLM)
• Ripple (XRP)

These tokens are supported directly or through wrapped mechanisms depending on the product. The emphasis remains on stable, high-volume tokens that align with regulatory and custodial frameworks.

Archax trading products

Archax offers multiple trading venues built to cater to both crypto-native and traditional financial institutions:

Digital asset exchange: A 24/7 trading platform for cryptocurrencies with full API connectivity. This exchange offers deep liquidity, fast settlement, and secure custody—all under FCA oversight.

Regulated exchange for tokenized securities: Archax allows the listing and trading of digital representations of traditional financial instruments—such as equities, debt instruments, and funds—under a regulated framework. This secondary market is ideal for institutions looking to access blockchain-native versions of real-world assets.

OTC trading desk: For high-volume trades that cannot be executed efficiently on open order books, Archax operates an over-the-counter desk offering discreet, block-sized liquidity.

Custody and treasury services: Users benefit from FCA-regulated custodianship, segregation of assets, and tools for managing fiat or tokenized money-market positions.

Passive yield through regulated financial instruments

There is no traditional “earn” program or points system on the platform, but Archax has taken concrete steps toward enabling passive income through regulated financial instruments. In early 2024, Archax began offering yield services that integrate with money-market funds. These are accessible through fiat and stablecoin wrapping, essentially enabling users to earn passive returns from tokenized representations of regulated investment products.

Rather than using staking or on-chain yield farming mechanisms, Archax approaches passive income from a traditional finance perspective, creating products that generate returns while still fitting within a compliant framework.

Archax fees

Archax emphasizes transparency and efficiency in its pricing. While deposit and withdrawal fees are clearly listed as free, trading fees follow a maker/taker model that varies depending on volume and trading pair. Here is the available breakdown:

Exact percentages for trading fees may be determined case-by-case for institutional clients, but these figures represent general industry-aligned estimates based on Archax’s positioning and public-facing materials.

Cross-platform support

Archax provides a professional-grade web interface with full API integration, making it ideal for institutional clients, algo traders, and third-party platforms. The user dashboard is optimized for desktop use and supports real-time market access, asset management, and automated trading functions.

There is no mobile application currently promoted, which could be a limitation for traders who prefer mobile access or real-time push notifications. However, the responsive design of the web platform allows for limited mobile interaction.

Access limitations and global licensing

Although Archax is based in the UK, it has been actively expanding into other key markets. It recently acquired a U.S.-registered broker-dealer, enabling it to operate within SEC and FINRA frameworks. It also has a licensed presence in the European Union and Dubai’s DIFC.

These expansions reflect Archax’s ambition to serve global clients in regulated environments. However, users from unlicensed or high-risk jurisdictions may still be restricted from onboarding or trading on certain products. As a compliance-first platform, Archax performs thorough KYC and regulatory screening before granting access.

Tokenise: creating real-world asset liquidity

Through its “Tokenise” framework, Archax enables asset issuers to create blockchain-based representations of traditional financial instruments. These tokenized securities can include shares in private companies, bonds, real estate portfolios, or investment funds. Issuers can list their tokenized assets on Archax’s regulated secondary market, giving investors access to a new form of liquidity.

This service has wide appeal for private equity funds, real estate firms, and fintech innovators seeking capital efficiency. Tokenization also opens the door to fractional ownership, 24/7 markets, and programmable compliance—all while maintaining regulatory clarity.

Archax Academy: education meets institutional adoption

Archax hosts the Archax Academy, a learning hub aimed at educating institutional clients, fintech innovators, and professionals about blockchain, tokenization, and the evolution of digital assets. It offers structured insights into tokenized asset structures, regulatory frameworks, and how traditional investors can bridge into digital markets.

This initiative supports the firm’s broader mission to demystify tokenization and bring a more educated, regulated flow of capital into the digital asset space. It’s a valuable resource for investors who may be new to the crypto sector but are familiar with institutional finance.

Partners and compliance standards

Archax prides itself on its high compliance standards and deep regulatory integration. The platform is regulated by the FCA in three distinct capacities: as a digital asset exchange, a brokerage, and a custodian. It is also ISO 27001 certified, which reinforces its commitment to information security.

In terms of partnerships, Archax has positioned itself at the center of the institutional blockchain ecosystem. It has established relationships with major financial institutions, custodians, and blockchain networks. The exchange is compatible with a wide range of blockchain protocols, including Ethereum, Polygon, Hedera, Solana, Algorand, and more.

Perhaps most notably, the platform has partnered with major players like Bullish to expand liquidity options and recently acquired Globacap to strengthen its foothold in the United States. This acquisition brings with it access to U.S. regulatory frameworks, including SEC oversight, and a pathway to offer tokenized securities to American investors.

Final thoughts

Archax is not just another crypto exchange—it’s an infrastructure play for the next generation of financial markets. With full FCA regulation, an expanding global footprint, and deep integration with both traditional and blockchain ecosystems, Archax is setting a new standard for how digital assets and tokenized real-world assets can coexist in a regulated environment.

However, the platform is clearly built for institutions first. It lacks common features that retail traders have come to expect, such as mobile apps, affiliate rewards, or gamified interfaces. If you’re a high-net-worth individual or a firm looking for regulatory certainty and sophisticated asset offerings, Archax is a strong contender. But if you’re a retail trader looking for a user-friendly, low-cost, mobile-first platform, you may find its offerings limited.

That said, Archax’s forward-thinking approach to custody, compliance, and tokenized finance makes it one of the most promising players in the institutional digital asset space today.