Kraken Introduces Regulated Derivatives Platform in the U.S., Unifying Access to Future and Crypto Spot Trading Markets
Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has taken a significant step forward in its strategy to build a comprehensive, multi-asset trading platform. The exchange announced the launch of Kraken Derivatives US, a regulated crypto derivatives platform that integrates futures trading with its existing spot markets and traditional finance offerings.
The new platform, launched in mid-2025, offers U.S. traders access to CME-listed crypto futures directly through Kraken Pro, Kraken’s advanced trading interface. Kraken Derivatives US allows traders to access one of the world's most liquid cryptocurrency spot markets.
Broadening the Offering
Initially focused on U.S. crypto futures, Kraken plans to expand futures trading to include commodity futures, fixed income futures, FX futures, and equity futures under regulatory oversight later in 2025. This will extend Kraken’s reach into traditional derivatives markets alongside crypto.
The strategic acquisition of NinjaTrader, a well-established US retail futures trading platform, provides essential regulatory infrastructure, derivative trading technology, and expertise. This acquisition is pivotal for Kraken’s entry into broader futures and derivatives markets beyond crypto.
A Unified Trading Experience
Kraken integrates spot and futures trading in one platform. Users can manage spot and futures positions seamlessly with instant collateral transfers between accounts, improving capital efficiency, risk management, and operational convenience across markets and time zones.
In addition, Kraken has introduced commission-free trading for over 11,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs, available 24/5, and has launched tokenized equities, enabling users to purchase fractionalized stocks on blockchain. This allows users to manage crypto assets and traditional blue-chip equities from the same interface.
Institutional and Retail Focus
The platform is designed to serve both institutional clients and active retail traders, reflecting workflows common in traditional finance, and addressing demand for access, capital efficiency, and sophisticated trading opportunities across asset classes.
Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader, stated that NinjaTrader is proud to power Kraken's push into US exchange-based derivatives. The collaboration between Kraken and NinjaTrader marks a pivotal first step in accelerating their combined mission to expand global access to essential products and markets.
In summary, Kraken’s multi-asset expansion merges crypto spot markets, regulated crypto futures, traditional equities trading, and plans for commodity, fixed income, FX, and equity futures trading into a single, regulated, high-performance trading ecosystem designed to facilitate seamless capital movement and broaden investor access. Kraken Derivatives US operates within a regulated environment backed by Kraken’s leading infrastructure.
Investing in Kraken Derivatives US allows traders to not only access CME-listed crypto futures but also extend their reach into Traditional Derivatives Markets, as Kraken plans to include commodity futures, fixed income futures, FX futures, and equity futures under regulatory oversight. This collaboration with NinjaTrader, a well-established US retail futures trading platform, is a significant step in Kraken's mission to unify technology, finance, and cryptocurrency by offering a single platform for managing crypto assets, traditional blue-chip equities, and regulated derivatives.
