Brisbane-based cryptocurrency exchange Swyftx has acquired its smaller rival New Zealand’s Easy Crypto, marking its first major acquisition since the company’s co-founder stepped down as chief executive last year.

Founded in 2018 by friends Alex Harper and Angus Goldman – who still own around 70 per cent of the company – Swyftx is Australia’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange. At the height of the 2021 crypto bull run it paid its investors a $48.5 million dividend and reported a $36.7 million after-tax profit.