Kraken, a well-known U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange, has officially stepped into the world of traditional finance by launching commission-free stock and exchange-traded fund (ETF) trading for select American users.
In a major move announced on Monday, the San Francisco-headquartered exchange revealed that users in several U.S. states and Washington, D.C. can now trade over 11,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs directly through the Kraken platform. This expansion complements its existing cryptocurrency offerings and signals the company’s ambition to become a one-stop shop for modern investing.
According to Kraken, the new service provides access to stocks listed on major U.S. exchanges including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and others. While initially available in states like New Jersey, Alabama, Wyoming, and a handful of others, the company plans to expand access to users across the entire United States in the near future.
ETF trading, in particular, is expected to attract a wide audience, as these funds allow investors to gain exposure to various markets and sectors with a single purchase, offering diversification and flexibility.
“Investors are increasingly seeking unified platforms that provide access to a broad range of assets, any time of day,” said Kraken Co-CEO Arjun Sethi. “Our expansion into equity markets supports that demand and lays the groundwork for the future of tokenized assets.”
Kraken’s latest move comes on the heels of several favorable developments for the exchange. Regulatory momentum has shifted in its favor recently, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropping enforcement actions against Kraken and other major exchanges. The decisions were finalized, meaning the agency will not revisit the cases.
Additionally, Kraken recently made headlines with its $1.5 billion acquisition of NinjaTrader, a futures trading platform, broadening its suite of financial services. The company also confirmed plans to go public, although no specific timeline has been provided.
While Kraken is currently rolling out equities trading in limited regions within the U.S., it has broader ambitions. The firm has announced plans to bring stock and ETF access to users in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia, highlighting its commitment to becoming a global financial hub.
Founded as one of the earliest platforms to support Bitcoin trading, Kraken now handles more than $1 billion in daily volume, according to CoinGecko. The company’s continued push into both traditional and digital markets illustrates a growing trend where crypto exchanges are evolving into multi-asset financial platforms.
As investor appetite for digital and traditional assets grows, Kraken’s hybrid approach could position it as a major player in the future of global finance.