Kraken Acquires NinjaTrader for $1.5 Billion, Expanding US Futures Market Reach

Kraken, a prominent cryptocurrency company, has announced a significant acquisition, agreeing to purchase NinjaTrader, a leading US retail futures trading platform, for $1.5 billion. The final purchase price is subject to adjustments based on pre-agreed conditions, reflecting the strategic importance of this deal.

The acquisition marks the largest-ever combination of traditional finance and cryptocurrency, positioning Kraken as a dominant player in the US futures market for both traditional and crypto assets. This move aligns with Kraken's broader strategy to expand into multiple asset classes, including equity trading and payments.

Arjun Sethi, Kraken’s co-CEO, highlighted the transformative potential of this acquisition. He noted that traditional financial markets often rely on outdated infrastructure, such as banking systems from the 1950s and exchanges that close at 4 p.m. ET, with settlement delays that can take days to resolve. In contrast, cryptocurrency infrastructure operates with efficient and real-time capabilities. This acquisition aims to bridge the gap between legacy finance and crypto, creating an institutional-grade trading platform where any asset can be traded at any time.

NinjaTrader, established in 2003, offers advanced futures trading tools to nearly two million traders and operates as a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant. The company will continue to function as an independent platform within Kraken’s suite of trading and payments applications, ensuring that its existing user base benefits from the enhanced capabilities and resources of Kraken.

Marty Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. He stated that NinjaTrader’s mission has always been to make retail futures trading more accessible, cost-effective, and user-friendly. By joining forces with Kraken, NinjaTrader aims to scale its vision globally, expanding its reach and unlocking innovative new use cases.

The acquisition brings several strategic benefits to Kraken, including US futures capabilities through NinjaTrader’s CFTC-registered FCM license, opportunities for global regulatory expansion, and seamless multi-asset trading for clients of both platforms. This deal is expected to enhance Kraken’s competitive position in the financial markets, leveraging the strengths of both companies to create a more integrated and efficient trading ecosystem.