- Kraken is nearing a $1.5B deal to acquire NinjaTrader, aiming for a regulated entry into U.S. crypto futures trading.
- The potential acquisition could strengthen Kraken’s global derivatives reach and open new doors for institutional investors.
Kraken is finally set to acquire NinjaTrader in a $1.5 billion deal, which will expand its presence in the U.S. crypto derivatives market. The acquisition will grant Kraken access to Ninja’sTrader’s 1.8 million retail traders and a more regulated pathway into crypto futures trading in the United States.
With NinjaTrader’s Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) license, Kraken has secured regulatory approval which enables the platform to offer futures and derivatives trading, a particular segment which was restricted by United States financial laws.
The deal was first reported by Wall Street Journal in the early hours of March 20 also emphasizes Kraken’s ambitious move to elevate its spot crypto trading, and potentially paving ways for equities trading and payments solutions in the future.
How NinjaTrader Strengthens Kraken’s Growth Strategy
NinjaTraders was founded in 2003, and has since built a reputation as a leading platform for future traders. The platform offers advanced trading tools and deep market access. Although NinjaTraders continues its independent operations, its latest integration into Kraken ecosystem will accelerate both companies global reach.
Kraken already holds reputable approvals from UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the EU’s MiFID , which position it to extend NinjaTrader’s reach into Europe, the UK, and Australia. Kraken has made a leap forward beyond just a crypto exchange and now diversifying its offerings into traditional equities and payments services.
Kraken’s Financial Power and Market Position
Kraken’s latest acquisition happened during one of the most decisive seasons for the cryptocurrency market, amidst regulatory power changes within SEC and Trump inspired crypto policies. The exchange pulled in $1.5 billion in revenue in 2024 alone, more than double of its previous year’s earnings. Kraken currently manages $42.8 billion in assets and operates 2.5 million funded accounts, with a total trading volume of $665 billion last year.
Kraken’s financial strength allows it to execute major acquisitions with confidence. The deal happened after Kraken’s recent significant legal victory against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
On March 3, the SEC dropped its lawsuit against Kraken , charging no penalties or admission of any wrongdoing. The victory totally removes regulatory doubts that had previously threatened the company’s operations.
Kraken’s influence in the crypto space continues to rise. The exchange recently climbed to third place in Kaiko’s Q1 2025 exchange rankings, up from seventh last year, thanks to major improvements in security, governance, and liquidity. It also remains a top-10 exchange by trading volume, according to CoinGecko data.
Meanwhile, with its latest integration with NinjaTrader, Kraken now positions itself as a dominant force in global derivatives trading. Also, institutional investors could start ramping up their interest in crypto futures, which will help solidify Kraken’s long-term strategy of becoming a powerhouse in both traditional and digital asset markets.
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