Kraken Set to 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. The Wall Street Journal reports that an official proclamation could come as early as March 20.
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. Kraken’s strong financial standing supports the deal, with $1.5 billion in revenue for 2024, more than double the previous year’s earnings.
The timing is strategic, following Kraken’s recent legal victory. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission dismissed its lawsuit against Kraken on March 3, with no penalties or admission of wrongdoing. This clears a major regulatory hurdle as Kraken continues its expansion.
Kraken’s industry recognition is also growing. It ranked 3rd in Kaiko’s Q1 2025 exchange rankings, up from 7th last year, thanks to improvements in governance, security, and liquidity. It remains the 10th largest exchange by trading volume, according to CoinMarketCap data.
