Kraken Strikes Deal to Acquire NinjaTrader for $1.5 Billion
DeFi meets TradFi as Kraken acquires 1 rated futures broker, Ninja Trader as part of its plans for global expansion and growth
Kraken, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has announced its agreement to acquire NinjaTrader, a prominent U.S. based retail futures trading platform, for $1.5 billion. The announcement was made in a blog post on Thursday 20th of March 2025.
This deal, the largest ever combining TradFi and DeFi, is an important step in Kraken’s mission to create a multi-asset-class trading platform that is able to bridge the gap between traditional financial systems and the ever evolving crypto ecosystem.
Kraken Acquire NinjaTrader
Kraken’s acquisition of NinjaTrader proves its promise of being a 24/7 technology platform specifically built for professional traders.
By integrating NinjaTrader’s advanced futures trading tools and its CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) license, Kraken will now offer crypto futures and derivatives in the U.S., bolstering its leadership claim in both traditional and crypto markets.
Moreover, the move also aligns with Kraken’s vision of expanding into equities trading and payments, in a bid to further diversify its services.
NinjaTrader has built a reputation as a trusted hub for futures trading, serving nearly two million traders. Since its founding in 2003, the platform has built a user base of 1.9 million and is the number one rated futures broker in the world.
Moreover, its acquisition by Kraken not only brings a more well established user base but will also unlock opportunities for global growth. Kraken’s regulatory licenses to operate in the U.K., EU, and Australia, will also help NinjaTrader’s diversification into these markets smooth.
Why This Deal Matters
The acquisition tells a story of the increasing convergence of traditional finance and the crypto industry.
Arjun Sethi, Kraken’s co-CEO, pointed to the significance of this deal, stating, “Traditional markets run on outdated systems, while crypto operates with efficient, real-time infrastructure. This transaction is the first step in our vision of an institutional-grade trading platform where any asset can be traded, anytime.”
Additionally, Marty Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader, in an interview stated, “Joining forces with Kraken allows us to take this vision to a global scale, unlocking innovative new use cases and integrating traditional markets with crypto.”
The deal comes just weeks after Kraken’s legal victory against the U.S. SEC. On Monday, 3rd of March the agency dismissed its lawsuit against the exchange without penalties.
