Cryptocurrency has transformed the financial landscape, and at the heart of this evolution stands a trusted name—Independent Reserve. As a leading digital asset exchange in the Asia-Pacific region, Independent Reserve is committed to delivering secure, compliant, and user-focused trading experiences for individuals and institutions alike.
Our Mission
To become the most trusted cryptocurrency exchange in the Asia-Pacific region by upholding integrity, innovation, and regulatory excellence.
👉 Discover how a trusted crypto platform can safeguard your digital future.
Our Story
Founded in 2013 by Adam Tepper, Adrian Przelozny, and Lasanka Perera, Independent Reserve was built on a clear vision: to create the safest and most reliable platform for buying Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. From day one, the goal has been to transform blockchain technology into secure, robust, and regulated financial services accessible to all.
A pioneer in compliance and innovation, Independent Reserve became the first licensed digital currency exchange to operate in Singapore. Today, we are authorized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under the Payment Services Act 2019 to provide Digital Payment Token (DPT) services—an important milestone that underscores our commitment to transparency and regulatory adherence.
Since launch, we’ve developed one of the world’s most advanced order-book-based crypto exchanges and a premium over-the-counter (OTC) trading desk for large-volume transactions. Our reach now extends across Southeast Asia, with continuous enhancements in product offerings and strategic partnerships designed to add value for our growing user base.
We serve more than 450,000 customers across Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond—backed by enterprise-grade security measures such as two-factor authentication (2FA), ISO 27001 certification, and military-grade offline cold storage vaults protected deep underground.
Core Keywords:
- Cryptocurrency exchange
- Digital asset security
- Regulated crypto platform
- MAS-licensed exchange
- Cold wallet storage
- OTC crypto trading
- Blockchain compliance
- Independent Reserve
Corporate Governance
Independent Reserve Singapore Pte Ltd is a registered entity in Singapore (UEN: 201942383Z). We hold a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license (License No: PS20200517) under the Payment Services Act 2019, enabling us to legally offer DPT services.
Our board of directors, advisors, and executive leadership team bring decades of combined experience across regulated finance, risk management, cybersecurity, and financial technology innovation.
Leadership Team
Adrian Przelozny – Co-Founder
With over 15 years in IT infrastructure, Adrian specializes in designing and developing mission-critical systems that power secure digital environments.
Lasanka Perera – CEO (Singapore)
As co-founder and CEO, Lasanka has spent more than a decade building regulated marketplaces across multiple asset classes, shaping Independent Reserve’s strategic growth.
Roman Stefanidi – CTO & Executive Director
Roman brings 15 years of experience developing enterprise-level pricing and trading software for global financial institutions.
Nathan – Chief Operating Officer
Joined in 2023 as HR Advisor and promoted to COO in August 2024. With over 25 years in financial services and tech across the UK, Asia, and Australia, Nathan previously held senior roles at Bloomberg, Westpac, CityIndex, and MUFG.
Phillip – Chief Financial Officer
With 18+ years in finance, Phillip previously served in leadership positions at E&P Financial Group and UBS Investment Bank. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Duncan – Chief Risk Officer
Joined in 2018 as Head of Operations & Risk; promoted to CRO in May 2024. Duncan has over 20 years of experience in trading, settlement, clearing, compliance, and risk systems. He holds an MBA and Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University.
Rachel – Board Member & Chair of Remuneration Committee
Over 15 years leading financial enterprises, including as Managing Director at GE Consumer Finance. Rachel currently serves on several boards, including CommSec.
John – Chair of Audit Committee
After 36 years at KPMG, John brings over three decades of expertise in financial reporting, governance, control, and risk advisory across global corporations.
Dr. Michael Aitken AM – Non-Executive Director
A renowned expert in market regulation and former CEO of the Capital Markets Cooperative Research Centre. He currently serves as Chief Scientist at Rozetta Institute and chairs the Risk Committee.
Michael – Non-Executive Director (Singapore)
With over 25 years in real estate investment trusts and deep ties to regulators in Australia and Singapore, he is also an accomplished lawyer with expertise in commercial, property, and banking law.
Four Pillars of Asset Security
At Independent Reserve, security isn’t optional—it’s foundational. We’ve built our platform around four core principles to ensure your assets remain protected at all times.
1:1 Reserve Guarantee
We maintain a strict 1:1 reserve ratio for all customer fiat and digital assets. This means every dollar or cryptocurrency deposited is fully backed—never leveraged or lent out.
👉 See why asset reserves matter when choosing a crypto exchange.
Full Asset Isolation
Customer funds are never commingled with company assets. All deposits are held separately to ensure clarity, accountability, and immediate availability when you need them.
No Lending or Rehypothecation
We do not engage in lending, borrowing, or rehypothecation (using assets as collateral). Your crypto remains yours—used solely for trading on our platform.
Regular Audits & Licensing Compliance
As the first MAS-licensed crypto exchange in Singapore, we undergo annual financial audits by independent third parties. These include full verification of all custodied customer balances—both fiat and digital—to guarantee transparency and trust.
Advanced Security Measures
Security is embedded into every layer of our infrastructure:
- Cold Storage Protection: The vast majority of digital assets are stored offline in geographically dispersed underground vaults with multi-signature access controls.
- ISO 27001 Certification: Recognized international standard for information security management.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Mandatory for all user accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
- Real-Time Monitoring: 24/7 surveillance detects anomalies and potential threats instantly.
Strategic Partnerships
We believe collaboration drives progress. Our partnerships reflect our commitment to innovation, compliance, and seamless integration within the global financial ecosystem.
ACCESS Singapore
As a member of this non-profit industry association, we promote open dialogue between crypto businesses, regulators, and the broader public in Singapore.
Bloomberg
Independent Reserve is the sole source of Bitcoin/Australian Dollar pricing data on Bloomberg Terminal—providing real-time benchmark rates to financial professionals worldwide.
Singapore Blockchain Association (SBA)
We actively contribute to SBA initiatives that foster responsible innovation through cooperation with regional and international stakeholders.
Fireblocks
We are among the first exchanges integrated via Fireblocks Connector—an API standard enabling institutional clients to securely access liquidity and fiat-crypto rails directly from the Fireblocks network.
Giving Back to the Community
We believe everyone deserves equal opportunity to thrive. Through community engagement and social responsibility programs, we aim to empower individuals and support inclusive economic growth—because progress should benefit everyone.
Media Center
Independent Reserve regularly provides expert commentary and insights to global and local media outlets such as CoinTelegraph, Bloomberg, CNBC, The Business Times, The Straits Times, and Lianhe Zaobao—helping shape informed conversations around digital assets and financial innovation.
👉 Stay ahead with insights from top-tier crypto platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Independent Reserve regulated?
A: Yes. Independent Reserve is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as a Major Payment Institution under the Payment Services Act 2019 to provide Digital Payment Token services.
Q: Where are customer funds stored?
A: Most digital assets are kept in secure offline cold wallets within underground vaults. Fiat funds are held in segregated bank accounts with major financial institutions.
Q: Does Independent Reserve offer OTC trading?
A: Yes. We operate a professional OTC desk for high-volume traders seeking fast execution with minimal market impact.
Q: How often are reserves audited?
A: Our financial statements are audited annually by external auditors who verify both company finances and customer asset holdings.
Q: Can I trust that my assets won’t be lent out?
A: Absolutely. We do not participate in any form of lending, borrowing, or rehypothecation. Your assets remain yours at all times.
Q: What security features protect my account?
A: We enforce two-factor authentication (2FA), employ real-time threat monitoring, maintain ISO 27001 certification, and store assets primarily in cold storage with multi-signature controls.