Crypto.com kicks off rollout of its US exchange platform

Cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com has begun to roll out its exchange to waitlisted users in the US as it boosts its presence in the world's biggest economy. 

Initially, its exchange platform will only be available to select institutional investors, with a wider remit envisioned in the near future, according to a blog post on Tuesday.

“We are excited to be expanding our offering for professional traders to the US,” Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek said in the announcement.  “Crypto.com Exchange will support US institutional investors through this initial launch phase. We are looking forward to rolling it out to everyone as soon as possible.”

The news follows the Singapore-based company's recent pushes into the US market. Along with splashing $700 million to rename the Staples Centre, the company also acquired two US-based derivatives platforms for $216 million in December to offer derivatives and futures to its American customers. 

The platform, which the company says is "the world's most secure cryptocurrency platform", has also been rocked by hacks. In January, Marszalek confirmed to Bloomberg TV that it suffered a security breach that affected 400 accounts in the Crypto.com main app. The theft is believed to consist of at least 4,830 ETH ($15 million) and 444 BTC ($18.5 million). 

Correction: This story has been updated to clarify that the hacks affected only clients from the main Crypto.com app.