B2C2 Bolsters Asia Presence by Onboarding New Singapore Country Head

B2C2, the crypto market maker owned by Japanese conglomerate SBI, is expanding its presence in Southeast Asia and has appointed Laura Teo as Singapore Country Head and Head of Sales, APAC.

B2C2’s Expansion Strategy in Asia

Her appointment comes as the company seeks a Major Payment Institution licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The company noted that it “is progressing with its application.”

The London-headquartered firm has already moved into a new office in Singapore and is expanding its team.

In her new role, Teo will lead the firm’s commercial strategy across the Asia-Pacific region. She will focus on expanding B2C2’s institutional client base and strengthening its locally licensed and banked presence.

“Her appointment marks a new and important phase of growth for B2C2 in Asia,” said David Rogers, CEO Asia-Pacific at B2C2. “We’re seeing strong client engagement in Singapore and across Southeast Asia, which complements our long-standing presence in Japan and Australia.”

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Teo brings about 25 years of experience to her new role at B2C2. She joined the crypto market maker from the Singapore office of Standard Chartered Bank, where she spent almost nine years, leaving as Managing Director and Head of Prime Brokerage Financing East.

She also worked at Barclays and Morgan Stanley, and began her career as a solicitor with Allen & Gledhill LLP, Richards Butler, and Clifford Chance.

Last year, B2C2 appointed Cactus Raazi as CEO of its US operations.

Is SBI Divesting?

Beyond Asia and America, the company is also expanding in other regions. It entered the European Union in 2023 by acquiring the French market-making firm Woorton and obtained a virtual asset service provider registration in Luxembourg to grow its continental European presence.

Meanwhile, according to a recent Coindesk report, B2C2 is seeking to raise $200 million from external investors. Part of these funds would be used to reduce SBI’s 90 per cent stake in the company. However, there is no official confirmation from B2C2 or SBI yet.