tl;dr
Licensed Indonesian crypto exchange Triv has received a strategic equity investment from MEXC Ventures, valuing Triv at $200 million. This investment aligns with MEXC’s focus on Southeast Asia amid Indonesia’s evolving crypto market, marked by increased institutional involvement and clearer regulati...
Licensed crypto exchange Triv, headquartered in Indonesia, has secured a strategic equity investment from MEXC Ventures, the investment division of the global crypto platform MEXC. This deal values Triv at $200 million and underscores MEXC’s expanding focus on Southeast Asia, particularly as Indonesia’s crypto market advances into a stage characterized by institutional involvement and clearer regulatory frameworks.
Leo Zhao, investment director at MEXC Ventures, clarified that the investment was "pure equity," free from tokens or convertible instruments. This move is part of MEXC’s broader regional growth strategy, emphasizing support for "local champions with strong compliance profiles" amid increasing institutional adoption in Southeast Asia. While the investment amount remains undisclosed due to confidentiality, the partnership reflects confidence in Triv’s regulatory track record, sizable user base, and robust infrastructure.
The timing of this investment coincides with significant regulatory changes in Indonesia’s crypto tax policy. Sellers of digital assets on domestic exchanges now face a 0.21% final income tax rate, double the previous rate, while those trading on foreign platforms incur a heftier 1% levy. Buyers, conversely, no longer pay value-added tax. These adjustments signify Indonesia’s shift in categorizing cryptocurrency as a financial asset rather than a commodity, marking a more formalized and institutional regulatory phase. Oversight is transitioning from the commodities regulator BAPPEBTI to the Financial Services Authority (OJK), reflecting the maturation of the market.
Zhao described backing Triv as a "natural fit" due to the platform’s proven leadership and regulatory compliance, positioning it well for a long-term strategic partnership. Established in 2015, Triv is one of Indonesia’s oldest digital asset exchanges, fully licensed to provide spot trading, staking, and derivatives. It boasts over 3 million registered users and supports more than 1,000 digital assets, ranging from Bitcoin and Ethereum to meme coins and synthetic U.S. stock products. The exchange also operates a crypto media arm, CryptoWave.
The investment aims to help Triv expand its product offerings, enhance liquidity, and strengthen infrastructure to meet rising compliance standards, all while retaining its operational independence. MEXC Ventures hinted at the possibility of further investments across the region. For Triv users, this partnership is expected to bring improved services and reliability without sacrificing the core values and independence that have fostered user trust over nearly a decade.