Crypto payment platform MoonPay is poised to receive a significant fundraising boost as recent reports suggest that Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), is exploring an investment in the company. 

According to a Bloomberg report, which cited sources familiar with the discussions, MoonPay is close to finalizing this fundraising round and is targeting a valuation around $5 billion.

New Regulatory Approval And Investment Talks

Based in New York, MoonPay specializes in simplifying the trading of cryptocurrencies through various payment methods, including PayPal, Apple Pay, and Venmo. The platform also offers tools for users to send, receive, and manage stablecoins. 

Notably, MoonPay recently obtained a Limited Purpose Trust Charter from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), a significant regulatory approval that complements its existing BitLicense. 

This charter enables MoonPay to expand its custody and other crypto services within New York, placing the company in league with established players like Coinbase (COIN) and PayPal, which also operate under the state’s strict digital asset regulations.

The momentum for MoonPay continues to build, particularly with news that Caroline Pham, the acting chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), plans to join the firm as its chief legal and administrative officer. 

CFTC Chair Caroline Pham to Join MoonPay

Pham has been a notable figure in the regulatory landscape, having served on the CFTC’s board since April 2022 and becoming acting chair in January 2025. 

She announced her intention to return to the private sector once a permanent chair was confirmed, which is expected to happen this week with Mike Selig’s anticipated confirmation.

Under Pham’s leadership, the CFTC expedited several initiatives focused on cryptocurrencies, including the allowance for spot crypto trading on futures exchanges and the launch of a digital assets pilot program permitting the use of assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) in derivatives markets. 

Additionally, Pham implemented various operational changes within the CFTC, reportedly leading to nearly $50 million in annual savings by enhancing governance and accountability.

Pham articulated that her agenda as acting chair concentrated on executing a range of presidential executive orders aimed at promoting regulatory clarity and efficiency across government agencies. 

Reflecting on her decision to join MoonPay, she emphasized the importance of people in her career choices, stating that meaningful connections guide her decisions.

Her connection to MoonPay began through a dinner hosted by Christie’s Art + Tech in 2023, where she met MoonPay’s president, Keith Grossman. A conversation that started at the dinner evolved into a friendship and later professional discussions as Pham considered her options post-government.

Grossman expressed confidence in Pham’s capabilities, stating, “MoonPay has really matured, and Caroline is the exact type of leader with the exact type of big bank and regulatory experience that’s needed for us to be able to move to the next level.”

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the company behind the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), is negotiating an investment in crypto payments firm MoonPay as part of a funding round that could value the company at approximately $5 billion, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

The potential valuation marks a 47% increase from MoonPay’s previous $3.4 billion valuation, which comes just a month after the company secured approval from the New York Department of Financial Services to position it alongside Coinbase and PayPal.

ICE Expands Digital Asset Portfolio with Strategic Bets

ICE’s potential investment reflects an aggressive expansion into emerging financial technologies.

The exchange operator already manages Bakkt, its proprietary crypto platform, and recently deployed $2 billion into Polymarket, the prediction market platform that gained prominence during the 2024 election cycle.

Beyond direct investments, ICE forged a technical partnership with Chainlink in August to deliver foreign exchange and precious metals rates onchain through Chainlink Data Streams.

The integration leverages ICE’s Consolidated Feed, which aggregates real-time pricing data from over 300 exchanges and marketplaces worldwide, contributing to Chainlink’s derived FX and metals datasets used across decentralized finance protocols.

The latest NYSE-backed investment talks emerge as MoonPay transitions from a simple cryptocurrency on-ramp provider into a full-service digital asset custodian capable of holding client assets and executing institutional-level trades.

The Limited Purpose Trust Charter complements MoonPay’s existing BitLicense, allowing the company to expand custody and other crypto services throughout New York.

This regulatory milestone places MoonPay in direct competition with established players operating under New York’s strict digital asset licensing requirements, which include comprehensive anti-money laundering protocols and consumer protection standards.

Moonpay High-Profile Leadership Hire Signals Regulatory Focus

MoonPay announced Wednesday that Caroline Pham, the acting chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will join as chief legal officer following her departure from the agency.

Pham will depart once the Senate confirms Mike Selig, Trump’s choice to chair the CFTC permanently.

She showed her readiness for the handover on X, writing: “I’m looking forward to a successful confirmation of Mike Selig as the CFTC’s next chairman and a smooth transition once he is sworn in. The future is bright. Onward and upward.”

Her background spans both Wall Street and Washington.

She previously led market structure for strategic initiatives as a Managing Director at Citigroup. She used her CFTC role to push forward innovation policies that supported President Trump’s pro-crypto objectives.

The leadership addition arrives as MoonPay expands its product offerings.

The same day, digital asset platform Exodus partnered with MoonPay to launch a US dollar-backed stablecoin aimed at mainstream adoption.

According to JP Richardson, co-founder and CEO of Exodus, “Stablecoins are quickly becoming the simplest way for people to hold and move dollars onchain, but the experience still needs to meet the expectations set by today’s consumer apps.”

Building a Regulated Footprint

MoonPay has steadily expanded its regulatory credentials throughout the year.

The company secured a Money Transmitter License from Wisconsin’s Department of Financial Institutions in March, strengthening its nationwide compliance framework.

Ivan Soto-Wright, MoonPay’s co-founder and CEO, emphasized the strategic importance of regulatory credentials at the time.

“Earning our Wisconsin MTL strengthens our position in the market as a fully-regulated platform, and further solidifies our commitment to iron-clad compliance,” he said.

The company has simultaneously pursued partnerships that extend its infrastructure beyond traditional crypto trading.

In late October, Rumble announced an exclusive collaboration with MoonPay to launch Rumble Wallet, enabling content creators to manage earnings outside conventional banking systems and execute trades in Bitcoin and other digital assets directly through the video platform.

The post NYSE Owner ICE in Talks to Invest in MoonPay at Nearly $5 Billion Valuation appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin Magazine

NYSE Owner in Talks to Invest in Crypto Firm MoonPay: Report

Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE), the operator of the New York Stock Exchange, is in discussions to invest in crypto payments company MoonPay, people familiar with the matter said, per Bloomberg. 

The potential funding round could value MoonPay at roughly $5 billion, up from its previous $3.4 billion valuation, according to the sources, who requested anonymity due to the private nature of the talks.

MoonPay, based in New York, provides infrastructure for users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. The company recently secured a Limited Purpose Trust Charter from the New York Department of Financial Services, a move that complements its existing BitLicense and allows it to expand custody and other crypto services in the state. 

The combination of these regulatory approvals positions MoonPay alongside companies such as Coinbase and PayPal, which are permitted to operate under New York’s strict digital asset framework.

ICE’s potential investment reflects its ongoing efforts to broaden its presence in the digital asset sector. The firm also operates Bakkt, a crypto platform, and has recently committed $2 billion to Polymarket, a prediction market platform. Analysts view these moves as part of a wider strategy by ICE to engage with emerging financial technologies.

CFTC Acting Chair Caroline Pham is joining MoonPay

The announcement comes amid leadership changes at MoonPay. Caroline Pham, the acting chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has confirmed she will join the company as chief legal officer and chief administrative officer after leaving the agency. 

Pham has played a key role in the CFTC’s crypto initiatives over the past year, including the “Crypto Sprint,” which aimed to clarify regulatory rules for digital assets. She also recently helped the agency withdraw guidance on the “actual delivery” of digital assets, which she described as outdated.

Pham’s move underscores the company’s emphasis on compliance and regulatory expertise. CEO Ivan Soto-Wright praised her leadership at the CFTC, noting that her experience will help translate regulatory progress into practical outcomes for the company’s users and partners. 

Pham’s exact start date has not been confirmed, pending the confirmation of Mike Selig as CFTC chair.

Earlier this year, Rumble announced an exclusive partnership with MoonPay to launch Rumble Wallet, enabling creators to manage earnings outside traditional banking. The company said the wallet will allow users to buy, sell, and swap Bitcoin and other digital assets directly on the platform, leveraging MoonPay’s infrastructure.

This post NYSE Owner in Talks to Invest in Crypto Firm MoonPay: Report first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Caroline Pham, the Acting Chair of the US derivatives regulator Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is set to leave the agency to join the private sector.

Pham will be heading to crypto payments firm MoonPay, once the Senate confirms her replacement with Trump’s pick Mike Selig.

“I’m looking forward to a successful confirmation of Mike Selig as the CFTC’s next chairman and a smooth transition once he is sworn in,” Pham wrote on X. “The future is bright. Onward and upward.”

Caroline Pham’s Digital Asset Oversight at CFTC

Pham served the CFTC for four years, including her final year as acting chair of the derivatives regulator. Prior to serving as Commissioner, Pham was a Managing Director at Citigroup heading market structure for strategic initiatives.

During her tenure at the CFTC, she oversaw regulatory innovation and groundbreaking digital asset policy.

She pressed aggressively on the pro-crypto plans set out by President Trump during his executive orders, launching the “crypto sprint.” The initiative has been running in parallel with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “Project Crypto.”

Last month, she announced a new prediction markets initiative, calling for nominations to head the CFTC arm.

Additionally, she proposed a regulatory sandbox – CFTC Digital Asset Markets Pilot Program – that lets Bitcoin, Ether and USDC serve as collateral in derivatives markets. Pham launched the program on December 8, along with new guidance on tokenized collateral.

Her successor, Mike Selig, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate this week, following a final vote. Pham’s departure to the crypto industry mirrors that of Bo Hines, former White House Crypto Council executive director, who joined Tether in August.

Similarly, in May, former CFTC commissioner Summer Mersinger left the agency to become chief executive of the crypto lobbying group Blockchain Association.

MoonPay Welcomes Pham to Head the Firm’s “Next Chapter of Growth”

In a separate announcement, payments company MoonPay announced the appointment of Pham as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Administrative Officer.

She will head the legal and administrative functions, alongside handling the firm’s policy and regulatory strategy in Washington.

Pham will “guide our next chapter of growth + compliance excellence following the conclusion of her role as Acting Chairman,” MoonPay wrote on X.

“I’m excited to join MoonPay at a pivotal moment,” Pham noted.

Her appointment comes at a time when MoonPay is expanding its enterprise stablecoin business. The payments platform is collaborating with Exodus to roll out a US dollar-backed stablecoin designed for everyday use.

The post CFTC Acting Chair Caroline Pham to Head to Crypto Firm MoonPay Once Mike Selig Swears In appeared first on Cryptonews.