Kraken just changed the game for U.S. crypto traders. With its $1.5 billion acquisition of NinjaTrader finalized, Kraken is bringing crypto futures trading to the U.S. under full regulatory approval. U.S.-based clients can now access CME-listed crypto futures alongside Kraken’s deep spot market liquidity, all in one platform.
Meet Kraken Derivatives US: Regulated, Integrated, Ready
Kraken Derivatives US is a fully regulated derivatives service. US clients can now trade crypto futures listed on the CME directly through Kraken Pro, thanks to seamless integration with NinjaTrader’s infrastructure.
The platform supports instant funding and collateral transfers between spot and futures accounts, making it easier to manage risk and execute complex strategies. Everything happens in a unified interface, designed for speed, security, and professional-grade performance.
“Kraken clients in the U.S. can now trade futures alongside one of the world’s most liquid crypto spot markets,” said Shannon Kurtas, Head of Exchange at Kraken.
Accessing Kraken Derivatives US: How It Works
Getting started takes just minutes. If you’re a U.S. client, here’s how to unlock futures trading on Kraken Pro:
- Log in to Kraken Pro (web or mobile).
- Head to a futures market (like MBTN25).
- Click “Unlock futures” on the order form.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Answer a few regulatory questions.
- If eligible, click “Trade now” to get started.
This rollout gives U.S. clients what many have long been asking for: direct access to crypto futures with regulatory peace of mind.
What You Can Trade: Futures Contracts Available Now
At launch, Kraken Derivatives US includes:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Micro Bitcoin (MBT)
- Ether (ETH)
- Micro Ether (MET)
- Solana (GSOL)
- Micro Solana (MSL)
More contracts—including commodities, FX, and equity futures—are on the way. In some regions, features such as FX perps are already live.
Kraken has launched FX Perpetual Futures, letting eligible traders access EUR/USD and GBP/USD markets with up to 20x leverage. FX Perps bring real-time forex exposure to Kraken Pro, combining crypto-style flexibility with traditional currency trading.Read Now
Why NinjaTrader Matters
Kraken’s acquisition of NinjaTrader is historic. The $1.5 billion deal is the largest merger between traditional finance and crypto to date. With NinjaTrader’s Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) license from the CFTC, Kraken now has a golden ticket to serve the U.S. derivatives market.
Kraken is acquiring NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion, merging crypto and traditional finance in a historic deal. This move positions Kraken as a leader in U.S. futures trading, while giving NinjaTrader access to millions of global users.Read Now
NinjaTrader brings more than regulatory muscle. With 1.8 million pro futures traders on its platform, it’s a powerhouse in retail derivatives. Now, that power is part of the Kraken ecosystem.
Unified Platform: TradFi Meets DeFi
This launch follows Kraken’s April debut of commission-free equities trading, offering 11,000+ stocks and ETFs.
Kraken now offers commission-free trading on over 11,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs to select U.S. clients. This marks a major step in unifying crypto and traditional finance under one platform.Read Now
Just weeks ago, Kraken also released tokenized equities, allowing even more overlap between digital and traditional assets.
Tokenized stocks just hit Kraken, Bybit, MEXC, and Robinhood Europe, unlocking 24/5 trading of U.S. equities on the blockchain. Say goodbye to brokers and borders and start trading stocks onchain now.Read Now
In Kurtas’ words, “Kraken Derivatives US enriches our unified trading experience, where digital and traditional assets can be accessed side by side.”
Let’s not forget that Kraken already launched regulated futures trading in the EU in May 2025.
Futures in the U.S. Go Mainstream
Crypto futures are quickly becoming a staple of U.S. financial markets. The tide is shifting in the United States as Coinbase announced US futures trading and Crypto.com launched stocks and ETF trading. Now Kraken joins the charge with regulatory approval, deep liquidity, and a pro-grade trading suite.
Kraken’s international reach is also expanding fast. Kraken recently secured a MiFID license for derivatives in the EU, EMI authorization in the UK, and even a full MiCA license from Central Bank or Ireland.
Final Word
Kraken Derivatives US is the start of a long-term strategy. Futures trading is now fully accessible to U.S. clients under CFTC oversight, integrated directly into the Kraken Pro experience.
If you’re already trading crypto on Kraken, you’re just steps away from managing your spot and futures portfolios in one place. Join the waitlist, unlock futures, and level up your trading game—regulated, real-time, and ready.
