Private equity firm Bridgepoint Group has agreed to acquire a majority stake in ht.digital, a London-based provider of audit, assurance, and technology solutions for the digital asset ecosystem.
ht.digital. The transparency layer for crypto markets
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Sky News cited a potential valuation of £200 million ($262 million). The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory approval.
Bridgepoint will make the investment through its Development Capital V fund, which focuses on supporting fast-growing businesses across Europe. The move positions the firm at the intersection of rising institutional adoption of digital assets and growing demand for independent audit and verification services.
ht.digital specializes in providing proof of reserves, financial audits, corporate finance advisory, and operational guidance to cryptocurrency exchanges, blockchain platforms, and institutional clients. Since its spinout from Harris & Trotter LLP in 2023, the firm has achieved nearly 100% organic revenue growth, building a client base of more than 700 companies worldwide.
The company leverages a combination of blockchain expertise, accounting rigor, and proprietary technology for on-chain verification, reconciliation, and reporting. Its services aim to strengthen transparency in the rapidly evolving crypto ecosystem, addressing heightened regulatory expectations and investor scrutiny that emerged in the wake of high-profile exchange collapses, including FTX.
“ht.digital sits at the intersection of two powerful, long-term trends, institutional adoption of digital assets and the growing demand for independent audit and assurance,” said Matt Legg, Partner at Bridgepoint.
“Nick and his team have built an exceptional business that delivers trusted assurance at a time when transparency is critical. We’re excited to support their international expansion and platform development.”
Growth and strategic expansion
The partnership with Bridgepoint will accelerate ht.digital’s expansion across Europe and globally. It will also enable the firm to continue investing in talent, technology, and product innovation, reinforcing its position as a leader in digital asset verification.
Founder and CEO Nick Newman emphasized that Bridgepoint’s experience in scaling professional services and technology companies makes the firm an ideal partner for the next phase of growth.
ht.digital’s rise comes as the digital asset market matures and institutional participation increases. Exchanges and token issuers are under growing pressure to provide verifiable proofs of reserves and financial accountability, particularly in regulated jurisdictions. By combining blockchain-native expertise with traditional auditing standards, ht.digital has positioned itself as a bridge between decentralized finance and institutional-grade oversight.
Deal advisory and outlook
Bridgepoint received advisory support from Bain (commercial), Cleary Gottlieb (legal), EY (financial and tax), Areta (M&A), and Achilles (ESG). ht.digital was advised by Arrowpoint Advisory (corporate finance), Roland Berger (commercial), and Dentons (legal).
The transaction, which is expected to complete in the first half of 2026, reflects broader trends in the crypto industry: as digital assets attract more mainstream participation, the demand for independent, institutional-grade transparency and assurance is rising. ht.digital’s expertise in this space positions it to capitalize on that growth while helping shape industry standards.
Anastasiia G
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