Tap Global Group, the AIM-listed digital finance and cryptocurrency payments platform, rose 6% to 1.38p after announcing that its entire board and senior leadership team have voluntarily locked in shares representing 63% of the company's issued capital for a minimum of three years.

Under the agreement, no participating shareholder may sell shares on the open market until at least March 2029, and even after that date they are permanently barred from open market sales under any circumstances.

The only permitted route to personal liquidity after the lock-in period expires is as a secondary seller alongside a company fundraising, capped at 20% of any such share issuance and subject to board approval.

Chief executive and co-founder Arsen Torosian, who holds 59.42% of the company's shares, is the largest participant in the arrangement, with the remaining locked shares held by the chief technology officer, head of development, and two non-executive directors.

The structure means the leadership team can only realise value from their shareholdings if the company raises fresh capital, tying their financial interests directly to growth and share price performance.

Tap Global operates an app that combines traditional payment infrastructure with cryptocurrency settlement, positioning itself in the growing market for digital asset financial services.

The announcement is unusual in its scope, with voluntary lock-ins of this duration and breadth rare among AIM-listed companies, particularly at the micro-cap end of the market where insider selling can weigh heavily on smaller shareholders.

The agreement does carry standard release clauses, including acceptance of a recommended takeover offer, company liquidation, and severe financial hardship, and shares arising from the exercise of options are not subject to the restrictions.