Kraken, a major cryptocurrency exchange, has officially entered the traditional financial market, launching commission-free trading for over 11,000 U.S.-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Starting April 14, users in states including New Jersey, Connecticut, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia can trade these financial assets directly through their Kraken accounts. This move marks the beginning of a larger national rollout, with Kraken planning to extend access to more U.S. states in the near future.
The expansion signifies Kraken’s ambitious effort to blend traditional financial products like stocks and ETFs with the digital asset world. The company’s new platform allows users to manage multiple asset classes, including stocks, cryptocurrencies, cash, and stablecoins, all in one convenient location. Furthermore, Kraken is introducing fractional shares, enabling users to invest in high-priced stocks with smaller amounts of capital.
Arjun Sethi, Kraken’s Co-CEO, emphasized that cryptocurrency is increasingly becoming an integral part of the broader financial landscape. The company views the future of trading as reliant on blockchain technology, which it believes will provide a more accessible and borderless trading experience across various asset types, including stocks, commodities, and currencies.
The launch of Kraken’s stock and ETF trading service comes on the heels of favorable regulatory developments. In March 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dismissed enforcement actions against Kraken, providing a boost to the company’s regulatory standing. Additionally, Kraken made waves with its $1.5 billion acquisition of the futures trading platform NinjaTrader and has confirmed its intentions to go public, though a timeline for the IPO has not yet been disclosed.
The service is powered by Kraken Securities, a division regulated by FINRA, and offers several user-friendly features, such as easy reinvestment. This feature enables clients to instantly reinvest in new stocks or cryptocurrencies after selling assets, removing the need for multiple platforms and enhancing the overall user experience.
Currently, the new service is available only to users in select U.S. states, but Kraken has plans to expand its offerings internationally, targeting markets such as the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia. With this expansion, Kraken aims to bridge the gap between cryptocurrency and traditional finance, addressing the growing demand for digital assets while enabling seamless trading across both markets.
As the cryptocurrency market continues to mature, Kraken’s move into traditional finance underscores its broader strategy to integrate crypto with conventional financial products, positioning itself at the forefront of this evolving industry.
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