Kraken launches US crypto derivatives platform in wake of NinjaTrader acquisition

Key Points

1. Kraken launched Kraken Derivatives US, providing access to futures contracts via the Kraken Pro platform.

2. The launch follows Kraken's $1.5 billion acquisition of NinjaTrader, one of the largest mergers in crypto history.

3. NinjaTrader was known as a retail futures brokerage specializing in equity derivatives before the acquisition.

4. Kraken plans to expand offerings across both Kraken and NinjaTrader platforms to include stocks and options.

5. Kraken remains one of the largest spot crypto exchanges, with daily volumes exceeding $1.7 billion as of the announcement.

6. The crypto derivatives market has grown significantly since CME Group and CBOE launched Bitcoin futures in 2017.

7. Bitcoin derivatives have led the surge, with open interest exceeding $70 billion.

8. Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) are projected to see derivatives volumes reach $3.5 trillion in 2025.