Bitnomial
2026
$550M
Why
Acquired a CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange and clearinghouse.
Impact
Closed in May 2026, giving Payward a full set of US CFTC licenses for native crypto derivatives.
Kraken
Cryptocurrency ExchangeFounded 2011- HQ today: Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026
Acquisitions
Kraken Acquisitions
5
Major Deals Covered
$2.1B
Disclosed Deal Value
What are Kraken's biggest acquisitions?
Kraken's largest disclosed acquisition here is NinjaTrader for $1.5B in 2025. This page covers 5 major deals from 2016 to 2026, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.
- Major deals covered
- 5
- Largest deal
- NinjaTrader ($1.5B)
- First deal
- 2016
- Most recent
- 2026
| Company | Year | Price | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| NinjaTrader | 2025 | $1.5B | Added a US retail futures brokerage and trading platform. |
| Bitnomial | 2026 | $550.0M | Acquired a CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange and clearinghouse. |
| Crypto Facilities (Kraken Futures) | 2019 | $100.0M | Acquired London-based, UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated digital asset derivatives platform Crypto Facilities to launch Kraken Futures. |
| Staked | 2021 | Undisclosed | Acquired non-custodial staking infrastructure platform Staked to allow institutional investors to earn proof-of-stake yields across major Layer-1 blockchains while maintaining asset control. |
| Coinsetter & Cavirtex | 2016 | Undisclosed | Acquired New York-based exchange Coinsetter and Canada's oldest Bitcoin exchange Cavirtex to consolidate North American compliance and client bases. |
- What companies has Kraken bought?
- Major acquisitions by Kraken documented here include NinjaTrader (2025), Bitnomial (2026), Crypto Facilities (Kraken Futures) (2019), Staked (2021) and Coinsetter & Cavirtex (2016).
- What is Kraken's most recent acquisition?
- The most recent Kraken acquisition documented here is Bitnomial, in 2026, for $550M.
NinjaTrader
2025
$1.5B
Why
Added a US retail futures brokerage and trading platform.
Impact
Brought CFTC-regulated futures and a large active-trader base, Payward's largest deal to date.
Staked
2021
Why
Acquired non-custodial staking infrastructure platform Staked to allow institutional investors to earn proof-of-stake yields across major Layer-1 blockchains while maintaining asset control.
Impact
Reinforced Kraken's staking and blockchain infrastructure capabilities alongside its core exchange trading desks.
Outcome
Cemented Kraken's standing as a leading validator node operator.
Crypto Facilities (Kraken Futures)
2019
$100M
Why
Acquired London-based, UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated digital asset derivatives platform Crypto Facilities to launch Kraken Futures.
Impact
Enabled Kraken to offer regulated multi-currency crypto futures contracts, capturing billions of dollars in institutional derivatives trading volume.
Outcome
Expanded Kraken from a pure spot trading desk into a top-tier global crypto derivatives leader.
Coinsetter & Cavirtex
2016
Why
Acquired New York-based exchange Coinsetter and Canada's oldest Bitcoin exchange Cavirtex to consolidate North American compliance and client bases.
Impact
Rapidly onboarded tens of thousands of active Canadian and US traders and expanded fiat wire processing capabilities.
Outcome
Accelerated Kraken's direct market share across North America.
Kraken's Growth & Acquisition Strategy
Kraken has grown beyond spot crypto trading into derivatives, through Kraken Futures and US futures and options via NinjaTrader and Bitnomial, and into services for institutions such as OTC trading, prime services and API infrastructure. It has also pursued regulatory licences in Europe so that it can operate there as a regulated financial institution.
How Kraken Makes Money
Kraken earns money in four main ways. 1. Transaction fees: maker-taker fees on Kraken Pro and spreads on simple retail purchases, which made up roughly 47% of 2025 adjusted revenue. 2. Derivatives: crypto futures through Kraken Futures plus US futures and options through NinjaTrader and Bitnomial. 3. Asset-based income: staking commissions, interest and financing on customer balances, and custody fees on about $40-50 billion of platform assets. 4. Institutional and B2B services: OTC block trading, prime services and infrastructure that partner firms build on via APIs.
Kraken Acquisitions FAQ
When did Kraken acquire Crypto Facilities and why was it historic?
In February 2019, Kraken acquired London-based crypto derivatives platform Crypto Facilities for over $100 million in cash and stock. The acquisition gave Kraken an FCA-regulated crypto futures exchange, creating Kraken Futures.
When did Kraken acquire staking platform Staked?
In December 2021, Kraken acquired Staked, an infrastructure platform that allows institutional investors to earn yield on proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies without relinquishing custody, greatly expanding Kraken's non-custodial staking business.
When did Kraken acquire Dutch crypto broker Coin Meester B.V. (BCM)?
In 2023, Kraken acquired Coin Meester B.V. (BCM), one of the oldest registered cryptocurrency brokerages in the Netherlands, accelerating Kraken's European expansion and market share ahead of the EU's MiCA implementation.
When did Kraken acquire Australian crypto exchange Bit Trade?
In January 2020, Kraken acquired Bit Trade, Australia's longest-running cryptocurrency exchange, establishing a dominant operational footprint in Australia and launching AUD fiat banking rails.
When did Kraken acquire crypto charting and portfolio tracker Cryptowatch?
In March 2017, Kraken acquired Cryptowatch, a leading real-time cryptocurrency charting and terminal trading platform founded by Artur Sapek, integrating its advanced charting tools into Kraken Pro.
When did Kraken acquire Bitcoin payment pioneer Glidera?
In December 2016, Kraken acquired Glidera, a digital wallet funding service founded by David Ripley (who became Kraken's COO and later CEO), enabling one-click bank account funding directly inside crypto wallets.
How did Kraken acquire historical crypto exchanges Coinsetter and Cavirtex?
In January 2016, Kraken acquired New York-based exchange Coinsetter and Canada's first cryptocurrency exchange Cavirtex, instantly consolidating customer bases across North America and establishing deep CAD banking rails.
What is Kraken's disciplined M&A strategy in digital assets?
Kraken executes strategic acquisitions focused on acquiring regulated licenses in key jurisdictions (UK, Netherlands, Australia), specialized institutional trading technology, and non-custodial staking infrastructure to enrich its global financial product suite.
What companies has Kraken acquired?
To become a global giant, Kraken executes highly aggressive M&A. In 2017, they bought Cryptowatch (a massive charting and trading terminal). In 2019, they executed a staggering, nine-figure acquisition of Crypto Facilities, an elite, heavily regulated derivatives exchange based in London. This instantly allowed Kraken to offer highly lucrative leveraged futures trading to European clients.
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