Kraken Launches U.S. Stock and ETF Trading, Sets Sights on UK and Europe for Next Expansion Phase

Kraken, a prominent U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange, is expanding beyond digital assets by introducing commission-free trading of U.S. stocks and ETFs to its platform. This move allows users to manage crypto and traditional financial instruments—like equities and Wall Street funds—from a single account, in a format reminiscent of platforms such as Robinhood.

The new offering is now available to select users across several U.S. states and is expected to roll out nationwide in phases. Kraken partnered with Alpaca, a licensed broker-dealer, to support the initiative. Through this collaboration, the exchange is enabling access to over 11,000 U.S.-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds, with more than half of those eligible for fractional trading—a feature that lowers the barrier to entry by allowing users to buy portions of a share.

“Expanding into equities is a natural step for us and paves the way for the tokenization of assets,” said David Ripley, Kraken’s co-CEO, in a statement. He emphasized that crypto is evolving into the foundation for multi-asset trading across equities, commodities, and currencies, driven by growing global demand for 24/7, borderless access to markets.

Kraken’s expansion plans don’t stop at U.S. borders. The company is actively preparing to bring its stock trading platform to the UK, Europe, and Australia, further blending the lines between crypto-native platforms and traditional finance (TradFi).

The rollout follows Kraken’s recent acquisition announcement of NinjaTrader, a CFTC-registered broker specializing in futures and forex trading. Valued at $1.5 billion, this deal represents the largest known merger between a crypto firm and a TradFi entity to date. It also signals Kraken’s ambitions to become a comprehensive financial hub. Looking ahead, Kraken has revealed plans for an initial public offering (IPO) in early 2026, adding momentum to its long-term vision.

While the idea of bringing stocks “on-chain” has typically focused on tokenizing real-world assets, Kraken’s direct integration of equity trading takes a different, more immediate approach. It reflects a broader trend of financial convergence, where crypto and traditional markets are increasingly intertwined on user-facing platforms.