Japanese Crypto Exchange Coincheck to List on Nasdaq Via $1.25B SPAC Merger

Japanese cryptocurrency exchange, Coincheck has announced plans to go public in the United States by entering into a definitive merger agreement with blank-check firm Thunder Bridge Capital Partners IV Inc.

The Merger

According to the official press release, the merger deal is worth $1.25 billion. Upon closing, the combined company will receive proceeds of $237 million from the cash held in the special-purpose acquisition company’s (SPAC) trust, assuming there are no redemptions by THCP shareholders and before expenses.

The proposed business combination was approved by the boards of directors of Coincheck, Monex, and Thunder Bridge IV unanimously and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022. After that, the new entity, called – Coincheck Group NV – will list on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker “CNCK.”

Online securities company Monex, which owns over 94% of Coincheck, will retain all of its equity at closing. Excluding warrants and earn-outs, the parent company’s ownership will be around 82% in the combined entity.

Thunder Bridge Capital Partners Ⅳ, Inc.との統合によるNASDAQ上場子会社への移行についてhttps://t.co/okAq9uWQIU

— Coincheck(コインチェック) (@coincheckjp) March 22, 2022

Gary Simanson, President and CEO of Thunder Bridge IV, said blockchain technology and digital assets will be a driving force in transforming the financial services industry across the world. The exec also added,

“This evolution will require a steady and thoughtful approach that is rapidly accelerating with suitable compliance programs. This is where we excel. We have patiently looked for the right entry point to allocate our focus, talents, and financial resources to become global leaders in this evolution. Coincheck is exactly what we were looking for amid a global playing field.”

After the closure of the transaction, Monex Group’s CEO, Oki Matsumoto, will lead the combined holding company as Executive Chairman. He will be joined by Gary Simanson as Chief Executive Officer. Meanwhile, the current Japan-based management team, including its President Satoshi Hasuo, will continue to lead and operate Coincheck.

Coincheck’s Latest Developments

The Japanese exchange recently tapped into the world of NFTs after rolling out a beta marketplace.

Besides, Coincheck also launched the country’s first Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) last year that allowed blockchain assets to list on a cryptocurrency exchange, enabling users to participate in new services and projects.

In 2020, the crypto exchange suffered a security breach wherein the perpetrators gained access to users’ personal information and emails.