Breaking: Kraken’s $1.5B Deal Takes Over NinjaTrader to Dominate Crypto Futures Trading!

Kraken, the top crypto exchange, is finalising a $1.5 billion purchase of NinjaTrader, the established futures trading platform. The acquisition will enable Kraken to break into crypto futures trading by using NinjaTrader’s Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) license to sell derivatives products legally within the US.

Kraken was established in 2011 and has grown into a large participant in the US financial markets, with $1.5 billion in revenue and a trading volume of $665 billion as of 2024. The purchase will allow Kraken to tap into NinjaTrader’s 1.8 million retail investors, thus doubling its user base.

A Strategic Move Amid Regulatory Compliance Measures

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently dropped its complaint against Kraken for operating an unregistered dealer, broker, and exchange. The dismissal of this suit without penalty or admission of fault takes away a major hurdle to the expansion of Kraken.

The transaction also provides the opportunity for NinjaTrader to expand outside of the US into UK, European, and Australian territories. Kraken’s existing MiFID license for the EU and Electronic Money Institution license from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority will ease this process. These expansions will also solidify Kraken’s global presence as a major player in trading crypto futures.

In addition, the need for institutional investor expansion of crypto derivatives has increased, as hedge funds and asset managers look for safe platforms. Kraken’s move into the US financial market for futures trading makes it a direct competitor for platforms such as CME Group and Binance Futures. With the development of crypto regulation, Kraken’s legal certainty becomes a preferred option for institutions that require compliance-focused crypto futures trading solutions.

Wall Street Journal’s X Tweet Sparks Industry Buzz

The Wall Street Journal confirmed on March 19, 2025, that Kraken is close to acquiring NinjaTrader in a $1.5 billion deal. The post on X (formerly Twitter) mentioned that the acquisition would expand crypto futures trading in the US financial market, with an official announcement expected soon.

The cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is nearing a $1.5 billion deal for NinjaTrader, a U.S. retail futures trading platform, according to people familiar with the matter https://t.co/9oFX2oopZC

— WSJ Markets (@WSJmarkets) March 19, 2025

This tweet has already picked up steam in the crypto market, with analysts forecasting that Kraken’s venture into crypto futures trading may alter market dynamics. The acquisition is likewise viewed as a direct move against Binance and Coinbase’s increasing dominance in derivatives trading.

Kraken’s Future Plans Beyond Crypto Futures Trading

In November 2024, the business closed down its non-fungible token (NFT) market as a sign that it is pivoting towards general financial services. Kraken also laid out its intention to branch out into equities trading and create a crypto payments service so customers can make purchases and transactions for goods and services using cryptocurrencies.

With crypto regulation uncertainties decreasing, Kraken’s strategy to expand stands firmly in line with the expanding US crypto products financial market. According to Kaiko’s Q1 2025 exchange rankings, Kraken climbed from 7th to 3rd place following its enhanced regulatory compliance solutions, governance, and liquidity improvements.

Final Thoughts: A Major Shift in Crypto Trading Landscape

Kraken’s $1.5 billion purchase of NinjaTrader is a turning point for the company, solidifying its place in crypto futures trading. With crypto regulation strengthening and the US financial world becoming increasingly crypto-friendly, Kraken is poised to head the next institutional adoption wave.

This transaction marks a turnaround towards institutional investor growth, with Kraken set to provide a diversified and regulated trading experience. As the news of the official announcement draws near, the crypto market waits anxiously to observe how this action reconfigures the competitive spectrum. With enhanced liquidity and regulatory clarity, Kraken is well-positioned to challenge leading derivatives trading platforms.