Kraken Launches US Crypto Futures Amid Legislative Changes

Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has launched futures trading for U.S. clients following its acquisition of NinjaTrader, signaling a major step in the derivatives market on July 18, 2025.

This launch positions Kraken as a key player in regulated crypto futures amidst U.S. legislative advancements, potentially transforming market access for both retail and institutional traders.

Kraken Enters U.S. Crypto Futures Market

Kraken has launched U.S. futures trading, part of its strategic expansion into derivatives, following the acquisition of NinjaTrader. This move enables clients to trade futures alongside the exchange’s existing spot market offerings. Kraken’s US-regulated derivatives offerings overview

The launch involves significant corporate investment in derivatives, emphasizing the importance of regulated trading infrastructure. Shannon Kurtas highlighted the launch as an effort to provide broad market access and increased efficiency for traders.

“With this launch, Kraken clients in the U.S. can now trade futures alongside one of the world’s most liquid cryptocurrency spot markets. It’s a meaningful step in giving traders broad market access and increased capital efficiency within a regulated and high-performance environment,” said Shannon Kurtas, Head of Exchange, Kraken.

Retail and Institutional Clients Gain CME Access

The expansion primarily targets retail and institutional clients, allowing access to sophisticated CME-listed futures contracts. This move is seen as enhancing trading strategies and capital efficiency in a heavily regulated market. Federal Reserve official website

This step enhances the integration of spot and futures markets, potentially affecting major assets like BTC and ETH. However, the immediate impact is largely confined to the regulated trading sphere, with on-chain effects yet to materialize.

Kraken’s Move Reflects CME’s 2017 Milestone

Kraken’s launch mirrors the CME’s introduction of regulated crypto futures in 2017, a pivotal moment in institutional crypto adoption. Similar initiatives by Coinbase and Gemini have contributed to expanding market sophistication.

Experts suggest Kraken’s move could influence derivatives markets significantly, especially as Congress continues advancing crypto legislation. The integrated platform might redefine market accessibility, enhancing liquidity and risk management for major cryptocurrencies. Lisa Cook’s speech on monetary policy and economic outlook

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