Digital asset prime broker FalconX acquired Arbelos Markets to expand its derivatives business and strengthen its position among cryptocurrency derivatives dealers.
Arbelos Markets is a trading firm that specializes in crypto derivatives, while FalconX operates FalconX Bravo, a swap dealer that is focused on crypto derivatives and approved by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, the companies said in a Thursday (Jan. 2) press release.
“Combining Arbelos’s systematic trading expertise with FalconX’s broad client base, large balance sheet and regulatory leadership, we’re uniquely positioned to address the growing demand for complex trading strategies and bespoke products,” FalconX CEO Raghu Yarlagadda said in the release. “Together, we hope to set a new standard for transparency, scale and innovation in digital asset markets.”
The acquisition of Arbelos will enhance FalconX’s ability to offer access to deeper liquidity, bespoke derivatives solutions and a broader range of trading strategies, according to the release.
Arbelos Markets has a cross-market capability that provides access to liquid trading opportunities across crypto-native venues, traditional venues and on-chain protocols, the release said.
The acquisition comes at a time when positive regulatory momentum and the growth of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and derivatives markets have driven growth in the institutional market, per the release.
“Joining forces with FalconX achieves our shared mission of offering deep market liquidity, creative risk-expression strategies and hedging tools, and transparency to the crypto derivative markets,” Arbelos Markets CEO Joshua Lim said in the release.
Investors, experts and industry executives expect the world’s most popular crypto — bitcoin — to reach new record highs in 2025, CNBC reported Tuesday (Dec. 31).
Elitsa Taskova, chief product officer at crypto lending platform Nexo, told CNBC that the trends driving this expected growth include “increasing recognition of bitcoin as a reserve asset, more bitcoin and crypto-related exchange-traded products (ETPs) and stronger adoption.”
FalconX said in December that it completed an integration with Bittensor (TAO) to provide institutional investors and ecosystem participants with solutions for asset storage and earning staking rewards.
“Coupled with our full suite of prime services across trading, credit and holistic treasury management solutions, we support the growth of innovative protocols in every step of their journey,” Ben Dapkiewicz, general manager of custody at FalconX, said in a Dec. 18 press release.
We get a lot of press releases here at PYMNTS. We consider all of them, and some are more newsworthy than others. But this one really got our attention. This past week, Diebold Nixdorf made headlines with its announcement of successfully installing two new automated teller machines (ATMs) at the U.S. National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station in Antarctica. This achievement marks a significant milestone in banking accessibility, to be sure. We would like to meet the crew that installed them. We’d also like to know why they needed two. Was there a line at the first one? More to come on that.
According to Diebold, McMurdo Station is Antarctica’s largest research and logistics hub, supporting a fluctuating population that ranges from fewer than 200 residents during the winter months to up to 1,100 individuals during the summer (October through February). The presence of these ATMs is crucial, it says, as the next closest banking facilities are thousands of miles away, making them the only ATMs on the entire continent. How’s that for a value proposition?
The DN Series ATMs are designed for always-on availability. And why do they need two? One ATM is actively in use, while the second serves as a backup for spare parts, ensuring uninterrupted service in this isolated area. These machines are connected to the DN AllConnect Data Engine, which leverages Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor their performance. A dedicated team continuously aggregates and analyzes technical data to identify potential issues, enabling remote diagnostics and repairs. The ATM can be maintained by trained staff at NSF McMurdo Station, or the Diebold Nixdorf service team can remotely guide them through the repair process.
Anyway, it got us thinking. Are there other surprising ATMs in extreme locations? Well, of course, there are. Here’s a sampling of what we found.
At an altitude of about 5,364 meters (17,600 feet), the Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal is another unexpected place to find an ATM. Although it’s not a permanent fixture and is often set up seasonally, it caters to climbers and trekkers who need cash for local transactions. This temporary ATM service underscores the adaptability of banking services in extreme environments.
In some parts of the Amazon rainforest, particularly in Brazil and Peru, ATMs can be found in small villages and towns. These machines are vital for local communities, providing access to cash in areas where digital payment options might be limited. The presence of ATMs here demonstrates how banking services can reach even the most remote communities.
Located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, Nagqu is home to one of the highest ATMs in the world. This region is very remote, with limited infrastructure, making the presence of an ATM a notable example of banking accessibility in extreme environments.
In the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) off the coast of Jakarta, Indonesia, there’s a floating ATM. This unique ATM serves the local community and tourists on the islands, demonstrating how banking services can adapt to isolated marine environments.
Longyearbyen, the administrative center of the Svalbard archipelago in Norway, boasts the most northerly ATM. This location is one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth, with limited access to mainland Norway, making the ATM a vital service for residents and visitors.
On a more serious note, the installation of ATMs in places like Antarctica and other remote locations highlights the evolving nature of banking technology. With advancements in IoT, AI and remote diagnostics, it’s becoming increasingly feasible to provide banking services in areas previously considered inaccessible. As we look to the future, it will be interesting to see where else ATMs might appear. Whether it’s on a remote island, at the top of a mountain or even in space, the ability to access cash is becoming more universal than ever. And who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll see an ATM on Mars, serving the first interplanetary travelers.
For now, the presence of ATMs in unexpected places reminds us that banking is not just about transactions; it’s about connecting people and communities across the globe, no matter how remote they might be.
