Skilled Traders Now Earn Capital, Not Pedigree on Kraken

Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency trading platform, has acquired Breakout, an evaluation-based proprietary trading firm, to expand its offerings for advanced traders. The integration, effective September 1, enhances Kraken’s product suite by enabling qualified traders to access up to $200,000 in notional capital. To qualify, traders must purchase and pass a rigorous evaluation, maintain performance above predefined drawdown limits, and requalify if they breach those thresholds. Successful traders receive a funded account and can retain up to 90% of the profits generated, which are paid directly to them on-demand [1].

Breakout’s model is centered on verifying risk discipline, strategy consistency, and real market decision-making under pressure. This evaluation-first approach filters for scalable trading signals and aligns with Kraken’s mission to reward demonstrated performance over pedigree. According to Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken, the acquisition reinforces Kraken’s commitment to building systems that allocate capital based on skill rather than connections. He emphasized that the initiative supports Kraken’s cultural DNA of fostering merit-based opportunities in the rapidly evolving financial landscape [1].

Alex Miningham, co-founder and CEO of Breakout, stated that the partnership allows traders to start on a performance-based foundation and scale through Kraken’s global infrastructure. Breakout’s integration into Kraken Pro will offer seamless access to eligible users, supporting the full trader journey from education to independent capital deployment. The platform enables traders to develop strategies across 50+ crypto pairs, with up to 5x leverage available on BTC and ETH contracts [1].

Kraken’s acquisition of Breakout also reflects its broader strategy to innovate in performance-based products accessible to all traders. Breakout benefits from Kraken’s global infrastructure and trusted brand, while Kraken gains access to Breakout’s specialized evaluation model. The combined ecosystem aims to democratize capital access for skilled traders, offering institutional-grade liquidity and clear rules. Traders must requalify if they breach drawdown thresholds, ensuring continued adherence to performance benchmarks [1].

Kraken, founded in 2011, is one of the largest and most secure crypto platforms, with over 15 million users globally. It offers a range of products, including the Kraken App, Kraken Pro, and Ninja Trader, enabling clients to trade over 450 digital assets and access advanced trading tools. The platform prioritizes transparency and security, having pioneered Proof of Reserves in the crypto industry. Kraken’s integration of Breakout further solidifies its position as an innovator in the crypto trading space [1].

The initiative aligns with Kraken’s broader vision to support a transparent and programmable financial infrastructure. Sethi highlighted that the integration builds an ecosystem where traders can earn their way into size, deploy capital with minimal friction, and get paid on merit. The move underscores the growing importance of performance-based capital allocation in the crypto markets, offering a scalable and meritocratic approach to trading opportunities [1].

Source: [1] Kraken Completes Major Acquisition of Breakout to Offer Prop Trading to Clients Globally (https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250904012956/en/Kraken-Completes-Major-Acquisition-of-Breakout-to-Offer-Prop-Trading-to-Clients-Globally)