Latest news with #ShannonKurtas
Finextra
14 hours ago
- Business
- Finextra
Kraken launches US regulated derivatives offering
Kraken, a technology platform built on crypto that unlocks access and reduces inefficiencies to drive financial freedom, today announced the launch of Kraken Derivatives US, a regulated US derivatives offering. 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. The launch will initially provide direct access to crypto futures listed on the CME through an integrated Kraken Pro trading experience. Kraken Derivatives US enables clients to trade a full suite of crypto futures alongside Kraken's extensive spot market offering. With instant funding enabling seamless transfer of collateral, the integration gives clients a unified interface to deploy advanced strategies and manage risk efficiently, all from within a regulated environment backed by Kraken's leading infrastructure. 'With this launch, Kraken clients in the US can now trade futures alongside one of the world's most liquid cryptocurrency spot markets,' said Shannon Kurtas, Head of Exchange at Kraken. 'It's a meaningful step in giving traders broad market access and increased capital efficiency within a regulated and high performance environment.' Kurtas continued: 'Kraken Derivatives US further enriches our unified trading experience, where digital and traditional assets can be accessed side-by-side without compromising on features, performance or liquidity.' Today's launch represents Kraken's first significant milestone since acquiring NinjaTrader, a leading U.S. retail futures platform, earlier this year. Through NinjaTrader, Kraken will broaden its derivatives offering to include a wider array of asset classes, with plans to introduce commodity, fixed income, FX, and equity futures later this year. This expansion advances Kraken's strategy to build a comprehensive, multi-asset trading platform: further reinforcing its role as a unified venue for both digital and traditional asset classes. 'NinjaTrader is proud to power Kraken's push into US exchange-based derivatives, democratizing sophisticated trading products and connecting more participants to the world's leading trading venues,' said Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader. 'This collaboration marks a pivotal first step in accelerating our combined mission to expand global access to these essential products and markets." In April, Kraken introduced commission-free equities trading in the US, offering access to more than 11,000 stocks and ETFs with 24/5 availability. Kraken has also launched trading for tokenized equities, powered by Backed's xStocks, with phased rollouts beginning last week for eligible non-US clients.
Business Wire
20 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Kraken Launches US Regulated Derivatives Offering, Creating Unified Access to Futures and Crypto Spot Markets
CHEYENNE, Wyo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kraken, a technology platform built on crypto that unlocks access and reduces inefficiencies to drive financial freedom, today announced the launch of Kraken Derivatives US, a regulated US derivatives offering. The launch will initially provide direct access to crypto futures listed on the CME through an integrated Kraken Pro trading experience. Kraken Derivatives US enables clients to trade a full suite of crypto futures alongside Kraken's extensive spot market offering. With instant funding enabling seamless transfer of collateral, the integration gives clients a unified interface to deploy advanced strategies and manage risk efficiently, all from within a regulated environment backed by Kraken's leading infrastructure. 'With this launch, Kraken clients in the US can now trade futures alongside one of the world's most liquid cryptocurrency spot markets,' said Shannon Kurtas, Head of Exchange at Kraken. 'It's a meaningful step in giving traders broad market access and increased capital efficiency within a regulated and high performance environment.' Kurtas continued: 'Kraken Derivatives US further enriches our unified trading experience, where digital and traditional assets can be accessed side-by-side without compromising on features, performance or liquidity.' Today's launch represents Kraken's first significant milestone since acquiring NinjaTrader, a leading U.S. retail futures platform, earlier this year. Through NinjaTrader, Kraken will broaden its derivatives offering to include a wider array of asset classes, with plans to introduce commodity, fixed income, FX, and equity futures later this year. This expansion advances Kraken's strategy to build a comprehensive, multi-asset trading platform: further reinforcing its role as a unified venue for both digital and traditional asset classes. 'NinjaTrader is proud to power Kraken's push into US exchange-based derivatives, democratizing sophisticated trading products and connecting more participants to the world's leading trading venues,' said Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader. 'This collaboration marks a pivotal first step in accelerating our combined mission to expand global access to these essential products and markets." In April, Kraken introduced commission-free equities trading in the US, offering access to more than 11,000 stocks and ETFs with 24/5 availability. Kraken has also launched trading for tokenized equities, powered by Backed's xStocks, with phased rollouts beginning last week for eligible non-US clients. For more information, please visit About Kraken Kraken is a technology platform built on crypto that unlocks access and reduces inefficiencies to drive financial freedom — for the crypto economy and beyond. Millions of individuals, professional traders, and institutions around the world use Kraken to trade digital and traditional assets, including cryptocurrencies, national currencies, U.S. futures, and U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs. Kraken markets can be monitored and traded via the web or through the Kraken and Kraken Pro iOS and Android apps. Futures platforms by NinjaTrader, a Kraken company, are available on desktop, web, and mobile via For more information about Kraken, please visit Futures products and services on Kraken are provided by NinjaTrader Clearing LLC dba Kraken Derivatives US, a regulated Futures Commission Merchant that is a member of the National Futures Association ('NFA') (NFA ID 0309379) and registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ('CFTC'). You should be aware that the NFA does not have regulatory oversight over underlying or spot virtual currency products, transactions, exchanges, custodian or markets. Spot accounts are maintained by Payward Interactive Inc., which is not CFTC registered and is not a member of the NFA. This is not an offer or solicitation for brokerage services or other products or services in any jurisdiction where Kraken is not authorized to do business or where such offer or solicitation would be contrary to local laws and regulations of that jurisdiction. Futures and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Investors should understand the risks involved in trading and carefully consider whether such trading is suitable in light of their financial circumstances and resources. Past performance is not necessarily indicator of future results. Please review the Full NTC Risk Disclosure for more information.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kraken Rolls Out Regulated Crypto Derivatives in Europe
Kraken is rolling out regulated crypto derivatives trading in Europe, compliant with the European Union's Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II). The crypto exchange's perpetual and fixed maturity futures contracts will now be available for retail and institutional customers in the European Economic Area (EEA), the firm said on Tuesday. Permission to trade crypto derivatives came via a Cypriot investment firm called Greenfield Wealth, which Kraken acquired earlier this year, securing the exchange a license from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). The crypto derivatives space has seen some significant moves lately, with big players like U.S.-listed Coinbase (COIN) acquiring leading trading platform Deribit. In Europe, exchanges such as Bitstamp and Gemini are entering the fold, while the MiFID II license held by FTX EU has been acquired by BackPack. Kraken also made a $1.5 billion acquisition of NinjaTrader to drive derivatives trading in the U.S. As well as its European license, Kraken acquired Crypto Facilities, a U.K. FCA-regulated crypto futures platform, in 2019. Kraken's joined-up approach means the contracts European clients will have access to already command a relatively high volume, roughly between $1 billion and $2 billion per day, according to Shannon Kurtas, head of exchange at Kraken. 'This is not offering access to a new trading venue or new contracts,' Kurtas said in an interview. 'These are existing contracts that have material volume trading on them and along with that comes established liquidity, better execution costs and fiat rails for getting collateral in and out efficiently and cheaply.' The recent introduction of Kraken's Embed crypto connectivity application means neobanks and fintechs in Europe can also offer derivatives, as well as spot, to their clients, Kurtas said. Picking up licenses in smaller and arguably more nimble jurisdictions like Cyprus and Malta has become a well-trodden path for Crypto firms with deep pockets. 'More nimble is probably a fair characterization,' Kurtas said. 'Also, there's been an established set of firms, particularly in the CFD space, who traditionally have offered retail access to FX derivatives and CFDs, and so there's kind of a nexus of individuals, firms and know-how, if you will, in the area for these products.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kraken expands to Europe with derivatives offering
The U.S.-based crypto exchange Kraken announced on May 20 that it has launched regulated crypto derivatives in Europe. Kraken's retail and institutional clients in the European Economic Area (EEA) can trade crypto derivatives, including perpetual and fixed maturity contracts. The exchange is offering the latest derivative products through Greenfield Wealth, a Cyprus-based investment firm that Kraken acquired on Feb. 3 to secure the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) license in the European Union. Kraken underlined the launch of MiFID-regulated futures within a recognized regulatory framework that will further strengthen the firm's position. 'Europe is one of the fastest-growing regions for digital asset trading and investment, with some of the most sophisticated and demanding clients and institutions,' Kraken's head of exchange, Shannon Kurtas, said. 'The launch of Kraken's regulated derivatives in Europe, the largest offering of its kind, is well-timed to meet this growing demand and underscores our commitment to providing trusted, compliant access to the best markets and trading opportunities,' Kurtas added. The crypto exchange has been expanding its global presence for a long time now. On March 20, Kraken entered into a $1.5 billion deal to acquire the U.S.-based futures trading exchange NinjaTrader. The exchange had also been competing with Coinbase (Nasdaq: COIN), the largest crypto exchange in the U.S., to acquire Deribit, a Dubai-based crypto derivatives exchange. However, Coinbase won the deal. Founded in 2011, Kraken is a U.S.-based crypto exchange that claims to offer its services to 15 million users globally. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Arabian Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Kraken Gains EU Access Through Cyprus Derivatives Licence
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has secured a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive licence in the European Union by acquiring Cypriot investment firm Greenfields Wealth, formerly known as Pacific Union Group. The acquisition, approved by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission , enables Kraken to offer regulated crypto derivatives to advanced traders across selected EU markets. This strategic move allows Kraken to operate under the EU's MiFID framework, facilitating the provision of over-the-counter derivatives, including contracts for differences , to retail clients within the European Economic Area. The licence also permits Kraken to passport its services across other EU member states, potentially reaching a broader base of European traders and investors. Shannon Kurtas, Kraken's Co-General Manager of Pro & Exchange, stated that the acquisition reflects the company's commitment to providing a trusted, regulated environment for advanced crypto traders and investors. She emphasized that the European market remains a top priority for Kraken as it continues to expand its services globally. Kraken plans to introduce a range of derivatives products, including regulated futures and options, designed to meet the needs of sophisticated crypto investors in Europe. These offerings will enable traders to gain exposure to various digital assets in a capital-efficient and flexible manner, using a variety of collateral currencies to back their positions. The acquisition of Greenfields Wealth provides Kraken with a strategic entry point into the European derivatives market. Cyprus has emerged as a hub for financial services firms seeking to operate across the EU, thanks to its regulatory framework and MiFID passport capabilities. The approval from CySEC enables Kraken to compete more effectively in the European crypto derivatives market. Kraken has a history of pursuing regulated derivatives trading opportunities. In 2019, the company acquired Crypto Facilities, a UK-based crypto futures platform regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority , enhancing its presence in the UK market. This acquisition made Kraken the first licensed crypto futures provider in the United Kingdom. The European crypto derivatives market is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating a 15% growth rate until 2030. Kraken's entry into this market positions the company to capitalize on the increasing demand for secure and regulated crypto derivatives trading in the EU. Kraken's approach to regulatory compliance has been systematic, with the exchange working to secure necessary approvals across different jurisdictions. This strategy helps ensure that its services meet local regulatory standards while providing users with access to advanced trading options. The company's expansion into the European market aligns with the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, which aims to address issues related to anti-money laundering, token issuance, and stablecoin-specific rules. Kraken's acquisition of the MiFID licence represents a strategic move to capture opportunities in Europe's expanding derivatives market. Arabian Post – Crypto News Network
