- Kraken has launched Europe’s largest regulated crypto derivatives platform, offering perpetual and fixed maturity contracts.
- This strategic expansion positions Kraken as a major player in the European digital asset market, addressing growing institutional demand for regulated trading solutions and enhancing its global footprint ahead of a potential 2026 IPO.
Kraken is expanding its reach in the digital asset world with the launch of Europe’s largest regulated crypto derivatives platform. This new platform allows users to trade various derivatives, such as perpetual and fixed maturity contracts, all while adhering to the European Union’s strict financial guidelines.
Kraken’s Big Move in Europe
Kraken’s new platform operates under the EU’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), ensuring a high level of regulatory compliance. This is a significant step as it means Kraken is offering a secure and regulated way for both individual and institutional investors to trade crypto derivatives in Europe.
The platform is managed through Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Ltd, a Cyprus-based investment firm acquired by Kraken earlier this year. This acquisition was important, providing Kraken with the necessary regulatory framework to offer fully compliant futures trading within the European Economic Area (EEA).
Shannon Kurtas, Kraken’s Head of Exchange, highlighted the importance of this launch, stating that Europe is a rapidly growing region for digital asset trading and investment. The new platform aims to meet the increasing demand for regulated and sophisticated trading solutions.
Europe is one of the fastest-growing regions for digital asset trading and investment, with some of the most sophisticated and demanding clients and institutions. The launch of Kraken’s regulated derivatives in Europe, the largest offering of its kind, is well-timed to meet this growing demand,
Kraken’s head of exchange, Shannon Kurtas, stated.
Kraken’s platform is designed to provide institutional-grade infrastructure, supporting local fiat currencies and offering flexible collateral options. These features are intended to help traders manage their capital and risk more effectively while staying compliant with European regulations.
This launch makes it one of the first regulated brokers in Europe to offer crypto perpetual contracts. It builds on Kraken’s previous acquisition of a regulated crypto derivatives venue in 2019, solidifying its position as a leading player in the global crypto derivatives market.
The demand for regulated digital asset products is growing, and Kraken’s move reflects this trend. As more institutions seek compliant ways to access crypto derivatives, Kraken’s platform could play a crucial role in shaping the future of crypto trading in Europe.
This launch follows it’s recent acquisition of NinjaTrader, a futures trading firm. This deal gives Kraken a stronger presence in the U.S. futures market and expands its reach beyond crypto into multi-asset trading. It will also boost its reach in key international markets. These include the UK, continental Europe and Australia.
Kraken’s competitors, including Coinbase and Gemini, are also increasing their efforts to capture the growing demand for regulated crypto trading products. Coinbase recently acquired Deribit, and Gemini has obtained regulatory approval to offer derivatives across the EU, indicating a competitive landscape. “Coinbase announces acquisition of DeribitOfficial to ‘significantly advance’ its derivatives business and ‘enhance’ profitability,” reported Cryptonews.
The firm generated approximately $472 million in gross revenue for Q1 2025 and adjusted EBITDA of $187 million. They reported strong financial results in Q1 2025, with revenue up 19% year-over-year. The company is considering an IPO in early 2026 and is exploring options to raise to $1 billion to support this effort.
