rewrite this title Kraken expands beyond crypto, launches stock trading in the US

Kraken is expanding into traditional finance by launching access to over 11,000 US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), according to an April 14 statement.

The crypto trading firm revealed that its users can now trade equities commission-free through Kraken Securities LLC, a newly launched FINRA-regulated arm of the exchange.

The service is available to residents in ten US jurisdictions, including New Jersey, Connecticut, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Iowa, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Alabama, and Washington, D.C.

Kraken aims to expand access to more states in the coming months, with global markets such as the UK, Europe, and Australia also on the roadmap.

Bridging crypto and traditional finance

The expansion aligns with Kraken’s broader vision of merging traditional and digital finance.

Kraken aims to remove long-standing barriers to investing by integrating access to stocks, ETFs, crypto, stablecoins, and cash on a single platform.

According to the firm, this would make it easier for users to rotate between asset classes without leaving the ecosystem.

Kraken’s co-CEO, Arjun Sethi, pointed out that the move into equities is a natural evolution that sets the foundation for future innovation. He emphasized that blockchain infrastructure will make the next trading phase borderless, continuous, and driven.

He added:

“Crypto isn’t just evolving, it’s becoming the backbone for trading across asset classes, such as equities, commodities and currencies. As demand for 24/7 global access grows, clients want a seamless, all-in-one trading experience.”

The new development follows Kraken’s $1.5 billion acquisition of retail futures trading platform NinjaTrader and the exchange’s reported plans to raise $1 billion in debt as it prepares for a potential initial public offering.

These deals highlight the exchange’s growing ambition to be a key player in the convergence of traditional finance and crypto.

Kraken’s entry into stock trading also puts it in direct competition with other platforms like Crypto.com, which introduced commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs in the US earlier this year.