Kraken Expands European Footprint with Derivatives Rollout

Kraken has officially launched regulated crypto derivatives trading in the European Union (EU), marking a major step in its global expansion strategy and a direct challenge to competitors like OKX.

Under the EU’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), the exchange will now offer perpetual and fixed maturity futures contracts to both retail and institutional investors across the European Economic Area (EEA).

The move follows Kraken’s February acquisition of a Cypriot investment firm, which secured the MiFID license through approval from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).

With this license, Kraken deepens its European presence, reinforcing its commitment to providing fully compliant trading products to a growing institutional market.

The exchange said via an official blog post:

“We’re excited to announce our launch of regulated crypto derivatives in Europe, providing our clients and partners with access to a full suite of liquid futures instruments – all within a recognized regulatory framework.”

Kraken’s head of exchange, Shannon Kurtas, stated:

“Clients and partners increasingly seek comprehensive offerings within a regulated framework.”

These derivatives will be offered through Payward Europe Digital Solutions, Kraken’s MiFID II-regulated entity based in Cyprus.

According to the company, the new products will allow users to trade futures seamlessly alongside other offerings, enhancing capital efficiency, liquidity access, and risk management capabilities.

The launch also comes on the heels of Kraken’s recent acquisition of futures platform NinjaTrader and a strong Q1 performance, with revenues rising 19% year-over-year to $471.7 million.

Crypto-Friendly Europe is Kraken’s Choice

Kraken’s push into Europe reflects its confidence in the region’s increasingly crypto-friendly regulatory climate and rising appetite for digital assets.

Commenting on the matter, Kurtas stated:

“Europe is one of the fastest-growing regions for digital asset trading and investment, with some of the most sophisticated and demanding clients and institutions. The launch of Kraken’s regulated derivatives in Europe, the largest offering of its kind, is well-timed to meet this growing demand and underscores our commitment to providing trusted, compliant access to the best markets and trading opportunities.”

As the EU emerges as one of the fastest-growing markets for crypto adoption, major players like OKX are also eyeing expansion.

In March 2025, OKX secured a MiFID II license, granting it the ability to offer derivatives products within the bloc.

Against this backdrop, Kraken’s timely launch positions it to capitalise on growing institutional demand and to compete effectively in a market hungry for compliant, efficient digital asset trading solutions.

Kraken in Midst of Speculations of Token Launch and IPO

Kraken’s expansion into Europe comes amidst growing speculation about a potential native token launch and initial public offering (IPO).

The rumours gained momentum after the exchange posted a teaser video on X (formerly known as Twitter) announcing its acquisition of retail trading platform NinjaTrader, notably featuring the ambiguous term “KRAK.”

While the company has yet to clarify its meaning, the cryptic branding has fueled curiosity about whether a token, IPO, or both could be on the horizon.

Adding to the intrigue is Kraken’s strong Q1 performance, which has only intensified market chatter around a possible public debut.