Crypto exchange Kraken has officially launched Kraken Derivatives US, a regulated platform offering CME-listed cryptocurrency futures to traders in Vermont, West Virginia, North Dakota, Mississippi, and Washington, D.C. The service, available via Kraken Pro, integrates futures trading with existing spot markets, enabling instant collateral transfers between positions and unified margin management.
This follows Kraken's $1.5 billion acquisition of NinjaTrader in May 2025—one of crypto's largest mergers—which provided CFTC regulatory licensing and expertise in equity derivatives. Kraken plans to expand derivatives offerings later this year to include commodities, fixed income, forex, and equity futures, aligning with its vision to create a multi-asset trading ecosystem.
The launch intensifies competition among exchanges like Coinbase (which acquired Deribit) and Robinhood (purchasing Bitstamp) amid booming derivatives growth. Industry projections indicate crypto derivatives volume could hit $23 trillion in 2025, with Bitcoin futures dominating at over $70 billion in open interest. Perpetual contracts surged 150% year-over-year, while decentralized exchange derivatives may reach $3.5 trillion this year.