1exchange

1exchange (1X) operates as a regulated private securities exchange in Singapore, providing a marketplace for trading equities in private companies. The firm was incorporated on July 19, 2017, and later received its Recognised Market Operator (RMO) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), a key milestone that established it as Singapore's first regulated private securities exchange. The platform officially launched in July 2019 with the listing of Aggregate Asset Management, which offered S$5.6 million in tradeable private equities. Strategic partners and early investors include the Singapore Exchange (SGX), which has supported 1X to enhance the capital market ecosystem for mid-to-late stage growth companies. In August 2023, 1exchange and its parent, CapBridge, were acquired by FOMO Group, a Singapore-based financial holding company, a move that integrated 1X into a broader digital payment and asset ecosystem.

1exchange was founded by Johnson Chen, who also founded its parent company, CapBridge. The platform is led by CEO Choo Haiping. The company's creation addresses a critical liquidity gap in the private market, where investors and early shareholders often face long holding periods with limited exit opportunities. By building its trading platform on blockchain technology, specifically the public Ethereum mainnet, 1exchange enables the direct, real-time tracking and verification of share ownership, enhancing transparency and security for participants. This technological foundation was developed in partnership with ConsenSys, a prominent blockchain software company.

The exchange serves two primary client groups: private companies seeking capital and liquidity, and accredited or institutional investors looking for access to private equity opportunities. For companies—including family-owned businesses, venture-backed startups, and pre-IPO entities—1X offers a "light-touch" listing venue that allows them to unlock shareholder value and raise capital without undergoing a full public listing. These companies can list up to 30% of their shares, providing partial exits for founders, employees, and early investors while retaining control. For investors, the platform fractionalizes large private equity investments into smaller, more accessible units, allowing for portfolio diversification and trading on a regulated secondary market. 1exchange generates revenue through listing fees charged to companies and likely transaction fees from trades conducted on its platform. Keywords: private securities exchange, regulated market operator, private equity trading, blockchain trading platform, Singapore, MAS licensed, pre-IPO investing, liquidity solutions, shareholder value, secondary market, tradeable private equities, accredited investors, capital raising, family businesses, venture-backed companies, FOMO Group, CapBridge, Singapore Exchange, Johnson Chen, Choo Haiping