Kraken, a prominent global cryptocurrency exchange, announced its acquisition of NinjaTrader, a retail futures trading platform, in a deal valued at $1.5 billion. This strategic move is designed to broaden Kraken’s offerings and attract a larger user base.
The acquisition follows a period of optimism within the crypto industry, fueled by expectations of more favorable regulatory conditions.
Industry leaders are hoping for policy changes that ease enforcement, encourage institutional adoption, and define clearer regulations for digital asset trading.
This deal underscores the growing connections between cryptocurrency firms and established financial institutions as digital assets gain wider acceptance.
The trend of increasing demand from retail traders to access a wide range of assets, including stocks, bonds, cryptocurrency, and derivatives, has spurred companies to expand their services to better meet their customers’ financial needs.
Oppenheimer analyst Owen Lau commented on the deal, stating, “It is an important deal for the industry because it is a deal that a crypto native acquiring a traditional finance and it is a large, billion-dollar-plus deal.” He anticipates “more deals to come under the most pro-crypto president, Congress and regulators” and the continuation of the convergence between crypto and traditional finance.
NinjaTrader, backed by Long Ridge Equity Partners, will continue to operate independently under Kraken.
Founded in 2003, NinjaTrader offers an accessible retail futures trading platform serving nearly 2 million traders. The acquisition is projected to be finalized in the first half of 2025.
