AxiCorp Financial Services Pty Ltd, parent company of leading Australian retail forex and CFD broker AxiTrader, has announced that it has received an investment from private equity firm RGT Capital.
Neither party gave much in terms of details of the transaction. However LeapRate has learned that it was a multi million dollar investment for a significant (less than 40%) minority stake in AxiCorp.
RGT Capital is a multi-family office investment vehicle based in Australia, which has made a number of very diverse investments. It has previously taken stakes in manufactured housing estate company Tasman Lifestyle (which it exited in 2015 when the company was merged to create Gateway Lifestyle), mobile apps developer Tigerspike, and craft beer specialist Young Henrys.
LeapRate readers will recall that earlier this year, AxiTrader rival Pepperstone also sold a significant minority stake in a similar deal, to CHAMP Private Equity.
The RGT investment will give a lot more dry powder to incoming AxiTrader CEO Rajesh Yohannan, who has been taking over the reins from founder Goran Drapac. It does look like Rajesh and the team at AxiTrader have significant plans to expand and diversify the business in the coming months.
The full press release issued by AxiCorp follows.
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AxiCorp ramps up as it secures Private Equity investment
Australian-owned Forex (FX) and Contracts For Difference (CFD) trading provider AxiCorp has announced that it has secured a significant strategic investment from RGT Capital, one of Australia’s prominent Private Equity firms.
Rajesh Yohannan, AxiTrader CEO
“This is a significant and exciting time for us,” said Rajesh Yohannan, AxiCorp’s Chief Executive. “And to have the backing of RGT Capital means we can accelerate our expansion and diversification plans.”
AxiCorp now a global player in the FX and CFD industry
AxiCorp is one of the few Australian-owned FX and CFD trading companies and is now recognised as an emerging force in the global retail FX and CFD market. With operations in Australia, Dubai and London, AxiCorp provides FX and CFD trading services to retail and institutional clients in more than 150 countries.
According to Yohannan, “We have well-developed plans for expansion both geographically and in terms of product offering. And this investment means we can accelerate those plans.”
Mr Yohannan added, “In assessing funding and investment options, of course the investment was welcome, but for us it is always about working with someone who “gets it”. RGT have a well-established track record in and around our space. They get it. That they understand all the nuances and risk metrics of this industry means they will add immeasurably to the refinement of our operational focus.”
Australian FX and CFD industry now attracting significant investors
RGT Capital’s investment in AxiCorp is one of the first major and significant investments by a private equity firm in an Australian owned FX and CFD company, where historically investment has been focussed on the more established UK and US markets. This development is a clear sign the maturing Australian FX and CFD sector is now becoming an attractive proposition for strategic investment.
The transaction was completed only a few months after AxiCorp appointed a stronger top management team led by Yohannan, who was formerly head of Citibank’s global mobile banking arm and more recently CEO of OANDA Asia Pacific.
RGT Capital’s Chief Investment Officer, Adam Wilson, “We have a proven history of investing in innovative companies who are on the cusp of transforming their business model and entering a period of significant growth,”
“With the in-coming management team adding strength to the existing Executives and AxiCorp’s focus on technology, scale and client championship, I believe we’ve found another gem. We’re absolutely delighted to be on board and we look forward to working with Rajesh and his team to ensure Axi realises its fullest potential.”
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About AxiCorp
AxiCorp is a wholly Australian-owned Australian FX provider and is a recognised emerging force in the global FX and CFD industry. With operations in Australia, Dubai and London, AxiCorp provides FX and CFD trading services to retail and institutional clients across the globe.
About RGT Capital
RGT Capital is a private equity firm providing growth capital to a variety of businesses both in Australia and internationally.