Kraken Acquires NinjaTrader for $1.5B to Enter US Retail Futures Market

Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has agreed to acquire NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion. NinjaTrader is a U.S. retail futures trading platform.

Crypto exchange Kraken has agreed to acquire U.S. retail futures trading platform NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion.

What Happened: After rumors of the deal emerged earlier this year, Kraken announced the completion of the acquisition of NinjaTrader, a leading provider of futures trading technology and services.

The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Kraken as it seeks to expand its customer base by introducing new investment categories.

Through this merger, Kraken will retain its status as a 24/7 trading platform, while NinjaTrader, established in 2003, will continue serving around 2 million traders worldwide with its advanced trading tools.

Both platforms are registered with relevant financial authorities. NinjaTrader has FCM status with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and Kraken holds global licenses from the U.K., EU, and Australian financial regulators.

This transaction also marks a unique event as it brings together the largest traditional financial structures with crypto operations.

Kraken Users to Gain Pro Trading Tools with NinjaTrader Integration

The acquisition grants Kraken several advantages. It can now offer crypto futures and derivatives within the U.S., a capability facilitated by NinjaTrader's FCM license.

Moreover, NinjaTrader can expand its operations to the U.K., EU, and Australian markets due to the global licenses held by Kraken.

The new system will allow trading in three asset categories: cryptocurrencies, futures, and conventional financial instruments.

With this acquisition, customers will gain access to both NinjaTrader's professional trading platforms and Kraken's renowned crypto liquidity.

"This acquisition is a critical part of Kraken's broader business strategy," said Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken.

"Traditional market operations are still largely confined by outdated banking systems, limiting trading hours and introducing time lag in transaction settlement. In contrast, the crypto market offers 24/7 trading with instant and efficient execution, a key advantage for traders."

"This strategic move marks the initial step in developing a platform that will enable users to trade any asset at any time," Sethi added.

The financial sector is undergoing a transformation with this merger, combining the efficiency of modern crypto transactions with the breadth of traditional financial systems.

Many traders will be following the integration of the two platforms and the launch of Kraken's multi-asset platform.