– Bridgepoint to acquire majority stake in ht.digital – Valuation reportedly £200 million, completion expected H1 2026 – Investment by Bridgepoint Development Capital V fund – ht.digital spun off from Harris & Trotter LLP in 2023 – Regulatory scrutiny increases audit demand for digital assets – Major exchanges adopt stricter audits after FTX collapse – ht.digital reports nearly 100% organic revenue growth – Over 700 global clients across exchanges and platforms – Bridgepoint investment supports international growth and tech development – First major private equity deal in crypto audit since FTX collapse

Bridgepoint Group plans to acquire a majority stake in ht.digital, a digital asset assurance firm based in London. The company's estimated valuation is £200 million ($262 million), with the deal expected to close in H1 2026 pending regulatory approvals.

Bridgepoint Development Capital V will finance the investment, focusing on European growth companies.
ht.digital, originating from Harris & Trotter LLP in 2023, specializes in verifying crypto asset holdings and blockchain transaction audits with operations in London, Malta, and the Cayman Islands.

Audit Demand Driven by Regulatory Pressure

Increased regulatory scrutiny on digital assets is raising audit demand.
Stablecoin market growth, as highlighted by ECB policymaker Olaf Sleijpen, underscores the need for transparent auditing.
Tether's $181 billion assets audit exemplifies large-scale verification needs.
Post-FTX collapse, major exchanges and stablecoin issuers have tightened audit requirements.
Institutional adoption continues to rise; JPMorgan has tokenized private equity funds, indicating broader market acceptance of crypto.

Private Equity Interest in Crypto Auditing

ht.digital reported nearly 100% organic revenue growth over two years, serving over 700 global clients.
Bridgepoint's investment aims to enhance international expansion and technological development.
The partnership reflects growing demand for verification infrastructure, such as Ondo Finance’s management of $1.8 billion in digital assets.
This investment is notable as one of the first significant moves in the sector since the FTX collapse.