FILE PHOTO: A representation of the virtual cryptocurrency Bitcoin is seen in this picture illustration taken October 19, 2021. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

(Reuters) - British online trading platform IG Group said on Friday it had acquired Australian cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve for A$178 million ($117.41 million), expanding its digital offerings and presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

IG said the deal is expected to be accretive to cash earnings per share in the first full financial year after closing it. (This story has been corrected to fix IG Group's ticker symbol in paragraph 1)

($1 = 1.5161 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Ankita Bora in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)