A major agreement has been reached for the acquisition of the futures trading platform NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion, representing the most significant union thus far between traditional finance and the crypto sector.
This announcement, made on March 20, greatly enhances Kraken’s footprint in the US futures market, taking advantage of NinjaTrader’s reputation as a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant.
This strategic acquisition aligns with Kraken’s overarching goal of creating a comprehensive trading environment that integrates both conventional financial instruments and cryptocurrency markets.
“Legacy finance and crypto have remained separate ecosystems, until today. This transaction represents our first step towards realizing an institutional-grade trading platform where any asset can be traded, anytime.”
This transaction is particularly significant for its anticipated regulatory impact. NinjaTrader’s current licensing will enable Kraken to legally broaden its crypto derivatives offerings within the US, a market that has historically approached crypto derivatives platforms with caution.
“NinjaTrader’s mission has been to redefine retail futures trading, making it more accessible, cost-effective, and trader-friendly.”
The two firms aim to provide a cohesive trading experience across various asset classes, granting both institutional and retail traders improved liquidity, lowered entry barriers, and enhanced responsiveness to market changes.
This acquisition fits within Kraken’s broader strategy, which includes past purchases such as Cryptowatch, CF Benchmarks, and staking service provider Staked. Each of these moves focuses on enhancing infrastructure and diversifying product offerings.
NinjaTrader will continue its operations independently under Kraken’s ownership, preserving its brand identity while benefiting from enhanced trading capabilities stemming from Kraken’s resources.
The transaction is projected to finalize by the first half of 2025, subject to standard regulatory approvals. PJT Partners acted as financial advisors for Kraken, while Jefferies LLC provided similar services for NinjaTrader.
In a larger industry context, this acquisition showcases a growing trend of consolidation between crypto exchanges and traditional finance platforms as US crypto regulations evolve.
Looking ahead, further mergers of this magnitude could significantly alter US market infrastructure as cryptocurrency firms seek to capitalize on clearer regulations.
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