Wise Braverya crypto exchange and investment company led by AI, is exploring the possible sale of all or part of its business.
The Zug, Switzerland-based company is conducting a strategic review after receiving several inquiries from large global exchanges, crypto platforms and traditional financial (TradFi) institutions including banks and trading platforms, said the CEO and co -founder Olga Feldmeier to CoinDesk in an interview.
The European Union Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) terms took effect on December 30, and Smart Valor could be a target for companies without regulatory approval in Europe. Although neither Switzerland nor Lichtenstein, where Smart Valor’s retail crypto exchange is regulated, are members of the bloc, they belong to the European Economic Area (EEA) and can use MiCA. Liechtenstein’s law to do so will take effect on February 1.
“Our ultimate goal is to find the best strategy for increasing stakeholder value while leveraging the resurgence of the crypto market and the benefits of improved regulation,” Feldmeier said in an email.
The firm has commissioned investment banking firm Imperii Partners to explore potential opportunities, he said. The Swiss company could be an attractive acquisition for large exchanges, borrowing and lending platforms, wealth management companies and retail brokerages.
The advisers are running an auction with bids due Jan. 24, two people familiar with the matter said. Several companies are expected to bid for the regulated exchange business, with several others completing due diligence that may also join the auction, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the matter is private.
At least one publicly listed company is also expected to join the bidding, one of the people said.
Smart Valor was founded in 2017 and serves retail clients and banks. It has three units: The licensed retail crypto exchange, a business that sells exchange technology to banks and an investment platform driven by artificial intelligence called Elann.AI.
A data room was set up before Christmas for would-be suitors to conduct due diligence, according to people familiar.
The company conducted an oversubscribed initial public offering in 2022 and its stock is listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market in Stockholm, becoming one of the first publicly listed crypto companies in the region. The shares were delisted in May 2024.
