Crypto market maker Wintermute secures broker-dealer status, enabling institutional trading of stocks, options, and ETFs in the US.
Wintermute’s US arm has registered with the SEC and FINRA, obtaining broker-dealer status to trade US equities, options, and ETF blocks. The approval allows the firm to provide liquidity for crypto-linked and traditional ETFs, as well as self-clear digital asset securities for proprietary accounts.
The move follows growing convergence between crypto and traditional markets, with Wintermute initially focusing on crypto-linked assets. The firm plans to expand into tokenized stocks pending further regulatory clearance. Registration as a proprietary trading firm excludes retail brokerage services.
Wintermute’s authorization as an authorized participant for ETFs will enable it to create and redeem large share blocks, supporting price alignment with underlying assets.