Locate Technologies appoints Janine Grainger as Bitcoin drive begins

Locate Technologies has appointed Easy Crypto co-founder Janine Grainger to its board as it prepares to become New Zealand's first listed Bitcoin treasury firm and shift its listing from the ASX to the NZX.

Janine Grainger is well known in New Zealand's digital asset sector, having established Easy Crypto in 2018 and grown the platform to serve over 350,000 clients with sales exceeding NZD $4 billion. The exchange has expanded into Australia and South Africa, and merged with Swyftx earlier in the year. Easy Crypto has also been recognised for launching crypto innovations, such as the New Zealand dollar stablecoin NZDD in 2023.

Locate Technologies' move from the ASX to the NZX is part of a strategy to offer local investors new digital asset products in a regulated environment. Grainger commented, "This is an exciting opportunity to give Kiwis exposure to new digital currency products in a safe, regulated way. Having pioneered crypto access through Easy Crypto, I'm excited to help shape continued innovation for NZ in the digital asset sector."

With Grainger's appointment, the company aims to introduce financial products backed by Bitcoin through its proposed NZX listing. Her role will focus on strategy and product innovation, leveraging her experience in the fintech and blockchain industries. Grainger has contributed to industry policy and trust frameworks, including through APEC's Digital Trust Advisory Group and the V20 virtual asset summit. She is a recipient of the 'IBM Most Inspiring Individual Award' at the 2023 Hi-Tech Awards and was recognised as one of ten global winners in the NEAR Foundation's Women in Web3 Changemakers awards. Grainger also serves on the Executive Council for FinTechNZ.

"Janine is no stranger to being first," commented Steve Orenstein, Chief Executive of Locate Technologies. "Through Easy Crypto, she built trust in the local crypto ecosystem and made it safe for Kiwis to invest in digital assets. That leadership and track record of innovation are exactly what we need as we launch our Bitcoin treasury product. We're proud to be working towards giving local investors access to a listed, innovative financial opportunity - one that would otherwise only be available through offshore markets."

Spearheading access

Grainger described the timing of Locate Technologies' NZX entry as aimed at a period of heightened interest in Bitcoin and digital assets, stating, "Bitcoin momentum has reached a crescendo in 2025, with increasing levels of institutional and retail interest. Around the world, regulators are shaping clearer frameworks, which is helping to propel adoption and legitimacy forward. Being an early mover positions Locate Technologies to give New Zealand investors a homegrown option at a time of peak interest."

The company's treasury model takes cues from established international firms. US-based MicroStrategy, for example, holds approximately 640,000 BTC, and its approach has led to significant share price appreciation. Orenstein noted, "This demonstrates the potential for treasury strategies to amplify returns for investors by creating financial products backed by digital assets."

Financial products and strategy

Locate Technologies plans to use capital backed by Bitcoin to introduce offerings such as credit and debt instruments and other investment vehicles through the New Zealand debt market. The company's approach is designed to provide local investors with access to digital asset-backed products that are currently mainly available through offshore markets.

Grainger emphasised the benefits of creating a localised Bitcoin treasury company, stating, "Growing markets have multiple Bitcoin treasury firms - and now New Zealand will have its own. It makes sense to give Kiwis the choice to invest in a local option rather than an overseas one, particularly when the NZX can provide that access in a regulated and trusted way."

The board of Locate Technologies authorised the announcement and stated its commitment to a high-conviction Bitcoin treasury strategy as a means to build shareholder wealth over the long term.