Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget is pressing ahead with plans to enter the United States, regardless of whether Congress passes the proposed CLARITY Act. The decision marks a renewed push into one of the world’s most heavily regulated crypto markets after the company shelved similar plans following the collapse of FTX in 2022.
Chief Executive Officer Gracy Chen said Bitget is committed to establishing a regulated U.S. presence through a standalone domestic entity, with licensing taking priority before any products or services are introduced to American customers.
The move also reflects Bitget’s broader strategy of expanding regulated operations globally while increasing its focus on tokenized traditional assets.
Key Takeaways
- Bitget plans to launch in the U.S. regardless of whether the CLARITY Act becomes law.
- The exchange will seek money transmitter, broker dealer, and derivatives approvals before offering services.
- Bitget intends to establish an independent U.S. legal entity for its American operations.
- The company is exploring collaboration with NYSE and Nasdaq on tokenized traditional assets.
- Tokenized stock products have surpassed $100 million in assets, according to Bitget.
Bitget Revives Its U.S. Expansion
Bitget first explored entering the U.S. market in 2022 but abandoned those plans after regulatory scrutiny intensified across the crypto industry following the failure of FTX. The exchange has now reversed that decision.
According to Chen, the company has already committed to launching in the United States and is preparing to complete the required regulatory approvals before opening its platform to American users.
“With or without the Clarity Act, Bitget has already made a decision to enter the U.S. market.”
Rather than operating through its existing offshore structure, Bitget plans to establish a separate U.S. based company that will independently satisfy domestic regulatory requirements.
The exchange intends to pursue money transmitter registrations, broker dealer licenses, and derivatives approvals before commencing operations.
Chen emphasized that regulatory readiness will come before product launches.
“Everything needs to be ready before we ship anything.”
Tokenized Assets Become a Major Growth Driver
Bitget’s expansion strategy extends beyond cryptocurrency trading. The company is increasingly investing in tokenized versions of traditional financial assets, an area that has seen rapid growth across global digital asset markets.
Chen revealed that Bitget has held discussions with both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq regarding potential collaboration involving tokenized financial products. Rather than viewing traditional exchanges as competitors, she described them as potential partners in building regulated blockchain based capital markets.
“At least at this point, we are more collaborators.”
According to Bitget, traditional financial assets accounted for between 20% and 30% of its spot trading volume during the previous quarter. The company also reported that 52% of its users now hold both cryptocurrencies and equities.
Its tokenized stock platform has accumulated more than $100 million in assets since launching, highlighting growing investor interest in blockchain based representations of listed securities.
CLARITY Act Remains Uncertain
While Bitget’s expansion will move forward regardless of legislation, Chen acknowledged that the proposed CLARITY Act could simplify certain aspects of operating in the United States. The legislation aims to establish a clearer federal framework for digital assets by defining regulatory responsibilities between agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Although the House previously approved its version of the bill, the Senate must still pass its own legislation before any final measure can become law.
Chen said she has become less optimistic that Congress will complete the process before the upcoming midterm elections, but stressed that Bitget’s licensing strategy does not depend on the outcome. Instead, the company plans to work within the existing regulatory framework while continuing preparations for its U.S. launch.
Global Compliance Remains Central to Growth
The planned U.S. expansion follows Bitget’s broader effort to obtain regulatory approvals across multiple jurisdictions. The company recently submitted a Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation application through Austria’s Financial Market Authority to support its European operations and has also secured registrations in markets including Argentina.
At the same time, Bitget continues to limit operations in jurisdictions where regulatory approval has not been obtained. Earlier this week, the company confirmed that Singapore remains a restricted market because it is not licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
This approach reflects the exchange’s strategy of expanding through local compliance rather than relying on offshore access.
Conclusion
Bitget’s decision to pursue a fully licensed U.S. operation signals a significant shift in its global expansion strategy. By committing to regulatory approvals before launch, the exchange is positioning itself for long term participation in one of the world’s largest financial markets, regardless of ongoing legislative uncertainty.
The company’s growing emphasis on tokenized traditional assets also illustrates how crypto exchanges are increasingly expanding beyond digital currencies into regulated financial products. Whether or not the CLARITY Act becomes law, Bitget appears determined to build its U.S. presence through compliance, institutional partnerships, and a locally regulated business structure.
