Kraken Set too Acquire NinjaTrader for $1.5 Billion
Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, is on the verge of acquiring NinjaTrader, a U.S. retail futures trading platform, in a massive $1.5 billion deal. An official proclamation is expected soon, possibly by march 20, according to The Wall Street Journal.
This acquisition will allow Kraken to expand its cryptocurrency futures and derivatives offerings in the U.S. by utilizing NinjaTrader’s Futures Commission Merchant license. Founded in 2003, NinjaTrader serves over 1.8 million retail investors. The deal will give Kraken access to this vast user base and support NinjaTrader’s growth in the UK,Europe,and Australia.
Kraken’s regulatory approvals, including its Electronic Money Institution license from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and its MiFID license for the EU, will facilitate this expansion. The exchange’s strong financial position,with $1.5 billion in revenue for 2024, backs the deal.
The timing is strategic for Kraken. On March 3, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission dismissed a lawsuit against Kraken, removing a significant regulatory hurdle. Kraken also ranked 3rd in Kaiko’s Q1 2025 exchange rankings,up from 7th last year,thanks to improvements in governance,security,and liquidity.
- Kraken reported $1.5 billion in revenue for 2024.
- The company holds $42.8 billion in assets.
- It operates 2.5 million funded accounts.
- Total trade volume for 2024 was $665 billion.
