- Business
- Hellenic Exchanges - Athens Stock Exchange S.A. (HELEX or ATHEX) operates the Greek capital market, providing trading, clearing, settlement, and registry services for equities, derivatives, fixed-income securities, and bonds through its fully owned subsidiaries ATHEXClear and Hellenic Central Securities Depository (ATHEXCSD); it also offers comprehensive IT solutions, data feeds, exchange services, depository services, and promotes capital market development in Greece. The group supports cash markets, derivatives markets, alternative markets for emerging and innovative companies, and collaborates via the Hellenic Corporate Governance Council with the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises and Hellenic Banking Association to advance governance standards. Founded in 2000 as a holding company and headquartered at 110 Athinon Avenue in Athens, Greece, it focuses on the Greek market with international trading activity comprising 65% of volume and maintains a presence aligned with European regulatory frameworks. In November 2025, Euronext N.V. successfully completed a voluntary share exchange tender offer, acquiring approximately 74.25% of HELEX's voting rights and integrating ATHEX into its pan-European infrastructure, with plans to migrate trading to the Optiq platform, target €12 million in annual synergies by 2028, and establish a new Group-level support and technology center in Athens. This acquisition, supported by all necessary regulatory approvals, enhances Greek market visibility, technology, and liquidity access for over 1,800 Euronext-listed companies while positioning ATHEX as a hub for Southeastern Europe expansion.