Shares of trading platform eToro surged as much as 29% on Wednesday to close around $67 after debuting on Nasdaq, a success emblematic of a new, bullish mood in the crypto industry.
It was a significant move for the company, which sold 6 million shares at $52 each, raising $310 million in the IPO. eToro is currently valued at around $5,4 billion. It marks not only eToro’s progress, but also a broader resurgence of crypto-related ventures at a time when the climate for such companies appears to have improved significantly.
eToro is known for its innovative approach to trading. The platform generates its revenue by charging users a fee on top of the spread for certain trades. They also collect management fees for the transfer of digital assets and for crypto wallet services. Notably, eToro reported a whopping $12,4 billion in digital asset revenue last year, up substantially from $3,4 billion in 2023. This speaks to the growing interest in digital assets and the role eToro plays in them.
At the end of 2024, the company had $113,2 million worth of digital assets on its balance sheet, down slightly from $114,7 million a year earlier. This shows that eToro is not only benefiting from the trend, but is also actively investing in its digital portfolio.
Yoni Assia, co-founder and CEO of eToro, describes crypto as “a revolutionary technology with the potential to decentralize and democratize financial systems globally.” This not only speaks to eToro’s core values of transparency and inclusivity, but also underscores the responsibility they feel to provide millions of investors with access to this emerging asset class, in a secure manner.
Since the launch of Bitcoin trading in 2013, eToro expanded its offering. In 2017, Ethereum was added, and the list of digital assets grew to over 70. However, after a $1,5 million settlement with the SEC, who accused eToro of operating as an unregistered broker, they are now limited to just three cryptocurrencies in the US: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash.
The SEC’s allegations that eToro was operating as an unregistered broker cast a pall over the company’s growth. Despite this, Assia has stated that the impact on its global operations has been minimal. The fact that eToro continues to offer its services in approximately 70 countries underscores its ability to adapt in this challenging environment.
With features like staking, which are now particularly popular on platforms like Coinbase, eToro continues to innovate. Staking allows cryptocurrencies to be locked in exchange for rewards. Unfortunately, US customers are still waiting for this capability.
While eToro, like other platforms such as Robinhood, temporarily suspended cryptocurrency trading in 2023 due to continued legal pressure from the SEC, the company’s future remains promising. The allegations against several tokens have now been dismissed, and the road seems clear for a new chapter in the crypto world.
How much is eToro currently worth?
Currently, eToro is valued at around $5,4 billion, following their successful IPO on Nasdaq.
What are eToro's main sources of revenue?
eToro primarily makes its money by charging trading fees on top of the spread for trades, as well as management fees for digital assets and crypto wallet services.
Which cryptocurrencies does eToro offer in the US?
In the United States, users can currently only trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash, following a settlement with the SEC that restricted them in their offerings.