The expansion gives traders more options on a single platform
Kraken is venturing out of cryptocurrencies as it introduces stock and ETF trading on its platform, signaling expansion into more mainstream investment vehicles. This extends another layer to the products of the cryptocurrency exchange and provides users looking for a one-stop-shop experience for digital and conventional financial assets.
The exchange, ranked 13th globally by the size of trades, has added access to over 11,000 US-listed equities and ETFs. These are now offered to be traded commission-free to customers in specific states, including New Jersey, Connecticut, and Alabama, among others. The company calls this launch the first step towards a national rollout that will increase more investors on its platform.
By adding traditional assets, Kraken is attempting to bring in investors who may otherwise have been hesitant to trade exclusively in cryptocurrencies. The goal is to combine digital and traditional finance in a way that addresses changing investor needs, especially at a time when market sentiment has been unstable. A sudden drop in the S&P 500 earlier this month erased trillions of market value following renewed concerns about global trade, adding to investor uncertainty.
Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi envisions the future of investing as an era where asset classes are combined in one platform. He emphasized that digital infrastructure is no longer only for crypto and is increasingly supporting broader financial services. The development also serves to underscore Kraken’s longer-term emphasis on the tokenization of real-world assets and the push towards 24/7 trading across global markets.
The company isn’t resting on its laurels in the US either. It is set to launch its stock trading services in other regions such as the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia, which means that Kraken is eyeing to be more than an exchange for crypto—it’s eyeing to be a full-service trading platform for the new investor.
