Kraken Acquires NinjaTrader in $1.5 Billion Deal, Bridging Crypto and Futures Markets
Kraken, one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges, is making a major expansion into traditional finance by acquiring U.S.-based futures broker NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion. NinjaTrader is a CFTC-licensed retail futures platform serving nearly 2 million traders, and its purchase will allow Kraken to offer crypto derivatives in the U.S. by leveraging NinjaTrader’s regulatory licenses. The deal is expected to close by mid-2025 and will see NinjaTrader continue to operate independently under Kraken’s ownership.
- Landmark Acquisition: Kraken is buying NinjaTrader – a leading U.S. retail futures exchange – in a $1.5 billion deal.
- Regulated Footprint: NinjaTrader is a CFTC-registered futures commission merchant with nearly 2 million users, giving Kraken a regulated foothold in U.S. futures trading.
- TradFi Meets Crypto: The merger exemplifies the growing convergence between crypto firms and traditional finance as digital assets gain wider acceptance.
Industry observers are calling this move a milestone in the convergence of crypto and traditional finance. The acquisition comes amid optimism that U.S. crypto regulation will be more accommodating under the current administration, following a period of heavy enforcement in previous years. Kraken’s co-CEO Arjun Sethi hailed the deal as “the first step in our vision of an institutional-grade trading platform where any asset can be traded, anytime” – highlighting a future where crypto markets and traditional markets blend into a seamless 24/7 trading ecosystem. Analysts expect this trend of crypto companies integrating with established financial market infrastructure to continue, especially as clearer regulations encourage broader institutional participation.
