Deutsche Börse has garnered the support of enough shareholders for its planned merger of equals with the London Stock Exchange Group, the German company said hours ahead of a key deadline on July 26.

In a statement, the exchange group said more than 60% of its shareholders had accepted the offer to tender their shares. The minimum acceptance threshold had been lowered to 60% from 75% this month, and Deutsche Börse said that 60.35% of shareholders had backed the deal as of 17.00 CEST.