MoonPay Poised for $5 Billion Valuation with NYSE Owner's Investment Interest

MoonPay, a cryptocurrency payment platform, is on the verge of securing a significant investment as reports reveal that Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), is considering funding the company.

Key Takeaways

MoonPay is targeting a valuation of $5 billion following its latest funding round.
The firm has received a Limited Purpose Trust Charter from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).
Caroline Pham, the acting Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is set to join MoonPay as its chief legal and administrative officer, enhancing the company’s leadership.

MoonPay

Growing Investment Opportunities

MoonPay, headquartered in New York, focuses on facilitating the trading of cryptocurrencies through various payment systems such as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Venmo. The platform also provides users the ability to send, receive, and manage stablecoins easily.

Recently, MoonPay accomplished a significant milestone by obtaining a Limited Purpose Trust Charter from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). This regulatory approval complements its already existing BitLicense, allowing MoonPay to broaden its custody and crypto services within New York. The charter positions MoonPay alongside established names like Coinbase (COIN) and PayPal, which also comply with the state’s rigorous digital asset regulations.

The momentum surrounding MoonPay is notably increasing, especially with the news that Caroline Pham, the acting chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will be joining the firm as its chief legal and administrative officer.

Caroline Pham's Impact

Caroline Pham has been a pivotal figure in the regulatory landscape since she joined the CFTC board in April 2022 and became the acting chair in January 2025. With a permanent chair expected to be confirmed soon—Mike Selig's anticipated appointment—Pham is set to transition back to the private sector.

During her tenure, Pham has advanced a number of initiatives aimed at fostering cryptocurrency regulation, including allowing spot crypto trading on futures exchanges and launching a pilot program for digital assets that includes Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) in derivatives markets. Moreover, her operational enhancements within the CFTC reportedly led to annual savings of nearly $50 million thanks to improved governance and accountability practices.

Pham’s agenda as acting chair emphasized the execution of presidential executive orders aimed at enhancing regulatory clarity and efficiency across government agencies. Reflecting on her decision to join MoonPay, she highlighted the significance of personal connections in her career, remarking that her relationships play a crucial role in her professional choices.

Her initial connection with MoonPay was established during a dinner hosted by Christie’s Art + Tech in 2023, where she met MoonPay’s president, Keith Grossman. This encounter blossomed into a friendship and, ultimately, professional discussions as she evaluated her career options following her government service.

Grossman expressed a strong belief in Pham's potential contributions, stating, “MoonPay has really matured, and Caroline is the exact type of leader with the exact type of big bank and regulatory experience that’s needed for us to be able to move to the next level.”

MoonPay The daily chart shows the total crypto market cap at $2.84 trillion. Source: TOTAL on TradingView.com

In conclusion, MoonPay is positioning itself for considerable growth and recognition within the cryptocurrency space, bolstered by recent regulatory approvals and strategic leadership additions.