TLDR
- Kraken is nearing a $1.5 billion acquisition of NinjaTrader, a U.S. futures trading platform.
- The deal could be announced as soon as Thursday, March 20, 2025.
- This acquisition would allow Kraken to offer crypto futures and derivatives in the U.S.
- NinjaTrader is expected to continue operating as a standalone platform under Kraken.
- The move aligns with Kraken’s strategy to expand across multiple asset classes and into new markets including the UK, Europe, and Australia.
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is on the verge of purchasing NinjaTrader, a U.S. retail futures trading platform, for approximately $1.5 billion. The deal could be announced as early as Thursday, March 20, according to people familiar with the matter.
The acquisition would mark a key expansion for Kraken. It would give the crypto exchange access to a new asset class and increase its user base.
Kraken, founded in 2011, provides a platform for users to buy and sell digital assets including bitcoin and ether. The company reported strong financial results in 2024, with revenue reaching $1.5 billion and adjusted earnings of $380 million.
NinjaTrader brings its own impressive numbers to the table. Founded in 2003, the platform offers futures trading tools to more than 1.8 million customers.
The deal would let Kraken offer crypto futures and derivatives in the U.S. This is possible because of NinjaTrader’s registration as a Futures Commission Merchant.
Under the terms being discussed, NinjaTrader would continue to operate as a standalone platform. It would be part of Kraken’s suite of trading and payments applications.
Kraken’s Growth Plans
The acquisition also supports Kraken’s global growth plans. The company aims to boost NinjaTrader’s presence in the UK, continental Europe, and Australia.
Kraken has been open about its plans to work across several asset classes. The company has previously mentioned goals for equities trading and payments options.
The timing of this deal comes during a period of reduced regulatory pressure. Earlier this month, the Securities and Exchange Commission dropped a lawsuit against Kraken that sought to regulate the cryptocurrency company as a stock exchange.
The lawsuit was dismissed with no admission of wrongdoing. Kraken did not have to pay penalties or make changes to its business model.
The crypto industry is seeing a more welcoming environment under President Trump. He has promised to make America the “crypto capital” of the world and to be the nation’s “first crypto president.”
Kraken has gone through leadership changes in recent times. Jesse Powell, one of the company’s founders, handed over control to former data analytics executive Amir Orad in July 2024.
Kraken currently ranks among the top exchanges in the cryptocurrency market. The platform handles between $390 million and $4.4 billion in daily trades, according to CoinGecko data.
If completed, this deal would stand as one of the largest in the crypto industry. Such major acquisitions are not common among cryptocurrency companies.
Neither Kraken nor NinjaTrader immediately responded to requests for comment from news outlets regarding the potential deal.
