Kraken Announces $1.5 Billion Acquisition of U.S. Retail Futures Trading Platform NinjaTrader
Kraken has announced the acquisition of the U.S. retail futures trading platform NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion, marking the largest acquisition of a traditional TradFi platform by a cryptocurrency exchange in U.S. history. The vision behind this acquisition aims to build a 24/7 multi-asset trading platform for professional traders, enabling seamless integration between cryptocurrency and traditional asset trading. The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to the fulfillment of conditions under the agreement between the two parties.
The majority of NinjaTrader’s ownership comes from Long Ridge Equity Partners. The personnel structure is as follows: PJT Partners serves as Kraken’s financial advisor, while Jones Day and Lowenstein Sandler are legal advisors. Jefferies LLC acts as NinjaTrader’s financial advisor, with Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP serving as legal advisors.
Kraken Co-CEO Arjun Sethi stated that traditional exchanges close at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, and older financial institutions still follow banking hours set after World War II, causing delays in settlement times. The real-time nature of cryptocurrencies resolves these issues, providing the infrastructure for instant trading.
Kraken’s acquisition of NinjaTrader is expected to create a professional 24/7 multi-asset trading platform for both traditional market and cryptocurrency traders, offering data analysis tools and information to streamline financial transactions.
Kraken’s Acquisition of NinjaTrader Enables Multi-Asset Trading
Kraken’s acquisition offers professional traders a bridge for managing both traditional assets and cryptocurrencies, enabling them to trade cryptocurrency and traditional market futures in the U.S. Founded in 2003, NinjaTrader provides futures trading tools to nearly 2 million traders and holds a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)-registered Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) license in the U.S. This license allows Kraken to offer cryptocurrency futures and derivatives products in the U.S., accelerating Kraken’s vision for multi-asset trading management, which includes the implementation of stock trading and payment services.
Accelerating NinjaTrader’s Expansion into Global Markets
Kraken’s licenses in the UK’s MiFID, the EU MiFID, and Australian securities will accelerate NinjaTrader’s expansion into markets in the UK, Europe, and Australia. NinjaTrader CEO Marty Franchi stated that collaborating with Kraken will enable NinjaTrader to offer more opportunities for traders globally.
Enhancing the Professional Trader Experience
Kraken and NinjaTrader customers will be able to trade cryptocurrencies, futures, and traditional financial products on the same platform, using NinjaTrader’s professional analytics tools, execution-driven tools, and trading Kraken’s cryptocurrencies. Kraken Co-CEO Arjun Sethi emphasized that this acquisition will integrate traditional finance with cryptocurrency, offering a highly efficient and real-time trading experience around the clock.
Risk Warning
Cryptocurrency investments are highly risky, with prices subject to significant volatility. You may lose your entire principal. Please carefully assess the risks involved.