Exclusive FNG interview… This September, London-based prime-of-prime brokerage and liquidity solutions iSAM Securities took a leap into the cryptocurrency world with the launch of its ground-breaking Crypto Margin Facility, which allows clients to deposit digital currencies as margin. Global Head of Business Development at iSAM, Sam Johnson, reveals the motivation behind this addition, his thoughts on the crypto space and how it fits into his vision for the future of iSAM Securities.
FNG: Hi Sam, and thanks for joining us today. What was the motivation behind introducing the iSAM Securities Crypto Margin Facility?
Sam: Institutional interest in cryptocurrencies continues to grow and, at iSAM Securities, we believe we are at the forefront of this transformative trend. This recent introduction reflects our commitment to provide sophisticated solutions to our customers, offering them a seamless way to deposit digital currencies.
We expected increased interest from a broad and global audience, demanding faster transit times and easy accessibility, so we spent 18 months refining our processes to ensure we met the industry’s wants and needs.
FNG: What makes iSAM Securities Crypto Margin Facility stand out in such a crowded market?
Sam: The Crypto Margin Facility is designed to offer customers a seamless and secure way to deposit cryptocurrencies. One of the standout features is the facility operates under the existing FCA-regulated entity, ensuring the highest regulatory standards and demonstrating our commitment to best-in-class execution.
Security and compliance are paramount, so we have taken many measures to address such concerns. First, we accept USDT and USDC coins on the ERC-20 Blockchain, two of the largest and most transparent stablecoins in the industry. We have also partnered with an FCA-registered crypto custodian to receive our clients’ digital assets and have integrated state-of-the-art Know Your Transaction (KYT) procedures and transaction monitoring technology using the same software as international law enforcement authorities for maintaining transparency and legality in the movement of funds.
FNG: How did client demand influence this decision for iSAM Securities?
Sam: Cryptocurrencies have become a critical component of the financial landscape with a commensurate increase in customer demand. For iSAM Securities, this facility has been in development for the past 18 months as we have been determined to uphold our founding principles of quality, integrity and excellence. Our industry-leading technology has played a huge role in our strategic approach to ensure that both clients and the wider market benefit from a truly unrivaled approach.
FNG: How does accepting cryptocurrencies align with the broader mission and vision of iSAM Securities as a company?
Sam: This new offering drastically simplifies the deposit and withdrawal process for our customers, while opening doors to new markets and regions. Through our continued commitment to safety, we have further built on our core philosophies of quality and transparency while ensuring we remain at the forefront of industry trends.
Regulated by the FCA, SFC, CIMA and CTFC, iSAM Securities is a leading algorithmic trading firm and a trusted liquidity, technology and leading service partner to institutional clients and trading venues worldwide. The firm offers full prime brokerage and execution services through its proprietary cutting-edge technology, as well as leading market analytics, cleared through the Prime Brokers group bank. For more information, please visit, isam-securities.com.
The iSAM Securities group includes iSAM Securities (UK) Limited, iSAM Securities (HK) Limited, iSAM Securities (Global) Limited, iSAM Securities (USA) Inc., iSAM Securities Limited.