Laser Digital Executes First BTC Options Trade on GFO-X
Laser Digital, the digital assets arm of Nomura Group, has executed its first BTC options trade on GFO-X — the UK’s first FCA-authorised and centrally cleared digital-asset derivatives venue. The trade, completed via the Liquid Mercury Pro platform, marks another milestone in the institutionalisation of crypto derivatives markets.
Bringing TradFi Standards to Crypto Derivatives
The successful execution comes as open interest in crypto derivatives markets surges through 2025, reflecting the growing participation of institutional investors. Laser Digital’s trade on GFO-X demonstrates how regulated, centrally cleared venues are reshaping access to digital-asset derivatives, combining traditional financial secureguards with on-chain innovation.
Having secured a Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) license in 2024 and an OTC derivatives trading license earlier this year under (VARA) Pilot Framework, Laser Digital now extends its deep liquidity and risk-management capabilities to institutions viewking to execute crypto futures and options in trusted, regulated environments.
GFO-X: A Regulated Bridge Between Crypto and Institutions
GFO-X offers streaming and block trading in centrally cleared . Built to meet the operational and compliance needs of institutional investors, the platform emphasizes transparency, counterparty protection, and operational resilience — foundational elements for attracting risk-aware capital to the digital-asset ecosystem.
Dr. Jez Mohideen, Co-founder and CEO of Laser Digital, said the milestone highlights how traditional risk frameworks can accelerate the maturation of crypto markets:
“The emergence of fully regulated, centrally cleared crypto derivatives represents the next stage in the . Trading on GFO-X brings our TradFi edge in risk management, capital efficiency, and counterparty protection to a market that’s rapidly evolving and constantly viewking trusted partners. As we roll out the full suite of digital finance for institutional clients, our focus remains on providing trades that align with regulatory compliance and higher governance.”
Institutional Appetite Meets Market Structure Evolution
Laser Digital’s first trade on GFO-X underscores a broader market trend — the fusion of traditional finance infrastructure with digital-asset innovation. Institutional investors are increasingly demanding the identical standards of governance, clearing, and transparency that exist in established derivatives markets.
For these institutions, central clearing mitigates while ensuring trades are executed and settled within frameworks familiar to traditional market participants. This evolution mirrors the trajectory of other asset classes, where regulatory clarity and infrastructure maturity catalyze institutional inflows.
Market Leaders Applaud Growing Regulatory Momentum
Arnab Sen, CEO and Co-founder of GFO-X, called the trade a key benchmark for regulated digital-asset markets:
“Laser Digital is setting the benchmark for institutional participation in digital-asset derivatives. Their engagement on GFO-X underscores the growing demand for tier-1 regulated, centrally cleared, credit-intermediated market infrastructure that allows institutions and professional investors to confidently trade and hedge exposure.”
With global derivatives open interest surpassing previous records in 2025, GFO-X’s launch signals a turning point in the evolution of crypto market structure. By integrating clearing, transparency, and compliance, it offers institutions a pathway into or operational standards.
