KR1 is preparing to become the first crypto company to list on the London Stock Exchange.
Date: 2025-10-29 Author: Gabriel Deangelo Categories: BUSINESS
KR1, a British crypto company focused on staking and investing in digital assets, announced its intention to move from the Aquis Exchange platform to the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Main Market in November 2025. This will be a historic move – the first time a company fully engaged in the crypto industry has listed on the LSE. This move reflects a shift in the UK's approach to digital asset regulation and demonstrates the country's growing openness to the crypto market.
KR1 is already listed on the Aquis Exchange, but moving to the LSE will open it up to a wider range of institutional investors. Co-founder Keld van Schreven noted that listing on the LSE will be "the starting point for a new asset class." He believes this example will inspire other crypto projects, both to enhance their market status and to conduct initial public offerings in London.
According to the Financial Times, KR1's market capitalization exceeds £56 million (approximately $74.5 million). Van Schreven emphasized that KR1 is the "first truly digital company" on the LSE, rather than a firm that uses cryptocurrency merely as a financial instrument.
KR1's unique strategy lies in its early investments in promising crypto projects and active participation in staking networks such as Ethereum and Polkadot. This allows it to earn rewards in the form of new tokens, ensuring the operation and security of blockchains. "We are redoubling our efforts in staking, and after listing on the LSE, any investor in the world will be able to acquire our shares," van Schreven stated.
Preparing for the listing on the main market required KR1 to significantly strengthen its corporate governance—the company expanded its board of directors and hired an independent auditor.
In recent years, the UK financial regulator, the FCA, has been criticized for its overly strict requirements for crypto companies, which has hindered the industry's development. However, according to van Schreven, the regulator's stance has changed: "The FCA is now much more open to crypto projects. They've hired new specialists and dedicated more resources to the sector."
The FCA's recent steps confirm this trend. The regulator has already implemented simplified rules for crypto businesses, relaxing some requirements, including the principle of "conducting business with integrity." Furthermore, a comprehensive regulatory framework for the crypto market is expected to be implemented by 2026.
Therefore, KR1's listing on the London Stock Exchange could be an important signal for the entire industry—the UK is gradually becoming a key destination for the development of legal crypto businesses in Europe.
