News & Updates
The latest news and updates from companies in the WLTH portfolio.
Kraken Set to Launch CFTC-Regulated Bitcoin Perpetual Futures
Kraken plans to offer CFTC-regulated Bitcoin perpetual futures in the US within 30 days, bringing regulated crypto derivatives onshore. Kraken is moving fast. The cryptocurrency exchange announced plans to launch CFTC-regulated perpetual futures contracts in the United States within 30 days. Eligible US clients will access these contracts directly on Kraken Pro. The product will sit alongside spot, margin, and CME-listed futures on a single interface. This marks a significant shift in how American traders engage with crypto derivatives. Read also: Kraken Parent Attracts $200M Investment From European Exchange Giant What Kraken's Perpetual Futures Mean for US Crypto Traders Perpetual contracts are derivatives that offer continuous exposure to an underlying asset. Unlike traditional futures, they carry no expiration date. Traders can hold positions without rolling them over. That flexibility makes perpetuals the most actively traded derivatives in digital asset markets globally. Annual trading volume for perpetuals surpassed $60 trillion in 2025. Until now, US traders had few regulated options to access them domestically. Most activity happened offshore. Kraken's launch aims to bring that activity into a regulated, onshore framework for the first time. John Palmer, Global Head of Derivatives at Kraken, addressed the significance of the move. He stated that US traders have been waiting for a regulated, domestic way to trade the product that defines global crypto derivatives markets. He added that perpetuals, spot, margin, and CME-listed futures will now sit on one interface, changing how US clients build and manage crypto positions. Eligible clients will trade a range of major digital assets. The list includes BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, LINK, DOGE, LTC, and AVAX. Kraken also indicated plans to expand contract offerings and collateral options over time. How the Contracts Are Structured and Where They Will List The contracts will list on Bitnomial Exchange, LLC, a CFTC Designated Contract Market. Bitnomial was recently acquired by Payward, Kraken's parent company. Kraken filed the contract details under Commission Regulation 40.3. The contracts feature continuous pricing, no expiration, and an eight-hour funding rate. This structure matches the conventional format used globally for crypto perpetuals. They will share a futures wallet with Kraken's existing CME-listed contracts. That setup lets traders manage both CME futures and perpetuals side by side without switching platforms. Perpetuals on Kraken Pro are offered through NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC, doing business as Kraken Derivatives US. That entity holds registration as a CFTC Futures Commission Merchant. Spot margin and perpetual futures operate on and under the rules of Bitnomial Exchange, LLC. This announcement follows a string of US-focused product rollouts from Kraken. In July 2025, the exchange launched support for CME-listed crypto futures alongside spot markets. Earlier in May 2026, it introduced CFTC-regulated spot margin trading for eligible US clients. CFTC's Regulatory Shift Opened the Door for US Perpetuals Kraken's move did not happen in isolation. It follows a notable regulatory development that cleared the path for products of this nature. The CFTC recently approved a Bitcoin perpetual futures contract submitted by KalshiEX, LLC. That contract, known as BTCPERP, became the first regulated Bitcoin perpetual futures contract on a US exchange. As reported by LiveBitcoinNews, Kalshi submitted the BTCPERP contract on May 28, 2026, under Commission Regulation 40.3. The CFTC issued its Order for Approval the following day. The contract tracks Bitcoin's spot price without an expiration date. CFTC Approves First Regulated Bitcoin Perpetuals on Kalshi Traders can hold leveraged positions and settle funding rates periodically. The CFTC confirmed the contract complies with the Commodity Exchange Act and applicable commission regulations. That approval signaled a broader shift in the US regulatory environment for crypto derivatives. Kraken's 30-day timeline shows how quickly market participants moved to act on the opening. The exchange's filing puts it in a position to deliver the second major CFTC-regulated perpetuals product to US traders, building on the precedent Kalshi helped establish.
Kraken Plans to Launch U.S.-Compliant Bitcoin Perpetual Contracts
Sign up for free to build your custom watchlist and receive professional-grade crypto notifications. Technical Sentiment Analysis for Bitcoin (BTC). As of , Bitcoin (BTC) is exhibiting a Neutral technical sentiment. Our proprietary analysis, which aggregates 6 technical signals, shows that 3 indicators are flashing buy, while 3 are indicating sell. Momentum Indicators: RSI, MACD & Overbought/Oversold Status. Currently, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) for BTC stands at -, which suggests a Neutral condition. Meanwhile, the MACD (12, 26) indicator is at -, providing a Neutral signal for short-term momentum. Other oscillators like the Stochastic Oscillator at - and the Commodity Channel Index (CCI) at - further confirm a - outlook for the crypto. Support, Resistance & Moving Averages. From a structural perspective, BTC is trading below its 60-day moving average of $- and below its 200-day long-term moving average of $-. Key price levels to watch include the immediate resistance at $- and strong support at $-. A break above $- could signal a bull continuation, while falling below $- may test the next Fibonacci floor at $-.
Kraken Set to Launch First CFTC-Regulated Perpetual Futures for US Traders
Perpetuals trade alongside spot, margin and CME-listed futures on Kraken Pro, giving US traders a unified view of crypto derivatives in one interface. CHEYENNE, Wyo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kraken, one of the world's longest-standing, most liquid and secure cryptocurrency platforms, has set out plans to launch the first CFTC-regulated perpetual futures in the US in the next 30 days. Eligible US clients will be able to trade perpetual futures on Kraken Pro, giving them domestic access to the contract that drives most global crypto derivatives volume, integrated alongside spot, margin and CME-listed futures on a single interface. Perpetual contracts are derivatives that provide continuous exposure to an underlying asset without an expiration date, eliminating the need to roll positions. This enables clients to maintain uninterrupted market exposure with greater flexibility and operational efficiency than traditional futures contracts. Perpetuals are the most widely-traded derivatives in digital asset markets, with annual trading volume reaching over $60 trillion in 2025. Until now, US traders have had limited regulated options to access them, with most activity taking place offshore. Today's announcement sets in motion plans to bring that activity onshore through a CFTC-regulated venue. Per the filing submitted today, the contracts will be listed on Bitnomial, a CFTC-regulated exchange recently acquired by Kraken's parent company, Payward. They feature continuous pricing, no expiration and an eight-hour funding rate, matching the conventional structure for crypto perpetuals, within the same futures wallet as Kraken's existing CME-listed contracts so traders can manage CME futures and crypto perpetuals positions side by side. Eligible clients will be able to trade a suite of major digital assets, including BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, LINK, DOGE, LTC and AVAX. Kraken intends to expand the contract set and product functionality, including broader collateral options, over time. "US traders have been waiting for a regulated, domestic way to trade the product that defines global crypto derivatives markets," said John Palmer, Global Head of Derivatives at Kraken. "We're giving them that access alongside the spot and futures markets they already use on Kraken Pro. Perpetuals, spot, margin and CME-listed futures now sit on one interface, and that changes how US clients build and manage crypto positions." Today's news follows a sequence of US product releases over the past year. In July 2025, Kraken launched support for CME-listed crypto futures alongside its spot markets. Earlier this month, it launched CFTC-regulated spot margin trading for eligible US traders. Perpetuals are offered on Kraken Pro through NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC dba Kraken Derivatives US, a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant. Kraken spot margin and perpetual futures are offered on and subject to the rules of Bitnomial Exchange, LLC, a CFTC Designated Contract Market (DCM). For more information, please visit https://www.kraken.com/features/futures. About Kraken Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the world's longest-standing and most secure crypto platforms globally. Kraken clients trade more than 600 digital assets, traditional assets such as U.S. futures and U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and 6 different national currencies, including GBP, EUR, USD, CAD, CHF, and AUD. Trusted by millions of institutions, professional traders and consumers, Kraken is one of the fastest, most liquid and performant trading platforms available. Kraken's suite of products and services includes the Kraken App, Kraken Pro, the Krak App, Kraken Institutional, Kraken's onchain offerings and the Ninja Trader retail trading platform. Across these offerings, clients can buy, sell, stake, earn rewards, send and receive assets, custody holdings, and access advanced trading, derivatives, and portfolio management tools. Kraken has set the industry standard for transparency and client trust, and it was the first crypto platform to conduct Proof of Reserves. It complies with regulations and laws applicable to its business, while actively protecting client privacy and maintaining the highest security standards. For more information about Kraken, please visit www.kraken.com. Futures trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for everyone. Losses may exceed the initial investment. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. View Risk Disclosure Statement. Brokerage services are provided by NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC d/b/a Kraken Derivatives US, a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant and NFA Member (NFA ID: 0309379). View Disclosures.
Kraken set to launch first CFTC-regulated perpetual futures for US traders
Perpetuals trade alongside spot, margin and CME-listed futures on Kraken Pro, giving US traders a unified view of crypto derivatives in one interface. We're excited to announce plans to launch the first CFTC-regulated perpetual futures in the US in the next 30 days. Eligible US clients will be able to trade perpetual futures on Kraken Pro, giving them domestic access to the contract that drives most global crypto derivatives volume, integrated alongside spot, margin and CME-listed futures on a single interface. Perpetual contracts are derivatives that provide continuous exposure to an underlying asset without an expiration date, eliminating the need to roll positions. This enables clients to maintain uninterrupted market exposure with greater flexibility and operational efficiency than traditional futures contracts. Perpetuals are the most widely traded derivatives in digital asset markets, with annual trading volume reaching over $60 trillion in 2025. Until now, US traders have had limited regulated options to access them, with most activity taking place offshore. Today's announcement sets in motion plans to bring that activity onshore through a CFTC-regulated venue. Per the filing submitted today, the contracts will be listed on Bitnomial, a CFTC-regulated exchange recently acquired by Kraken's parent company, Payward. They feature continuous pricing, no expiration and an eight-hour funding rate, matching the conventional structure for crypto perpetuals, within the same futures wallet as Kraken's existing CME-listed contracts so traders can manage CME futures and crypto perpetuals positions side by side. Eligible clients will be able to trade a suite of major digital assets, including BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, LINK, DOGE, LTC and AVAX. Kraken intends to expand the contract set and product functionality, including broader collateral options, over time. "US traders have been waiting for a regulated, domestic way to trade the product that defines global crypto derivatives markets," said John Palmer, Global Head of Derivatives at Kraken. "We're giving them that access alongside the spot and futures markets they already use on Kraken Pro. Perpetuals, spot, margin and CME-listed futures now sit on one interface, and that changes how US clients build and manage crypto positions." Today's news follows a sequence of US product releases over the past year. In July 2025, we launched support for CME-listed crypto futures alongside our spot markets. Earlier this month, we launched CFTC-regulated spot margin trading for eligible US traders. Perpetuals are offered on Kraken Pro through NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC dba Kraken Derivatives US, a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant. Kraken spot margin and perpetual futures are offered on and subject to the rules of Bitnomial Exchange, LLC, a CFTC Designated Contract Market (DCM). NinjaTrader Group, LLC and its affiliated entities provide brokerage, technology, and educational services. Brokerage services are offered through NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC dba Kraken Derivatives US and Tradovate, a Futures Commission Merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and a member of the National Futures Association (NFA ID # 0309379). Trading futures and options involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. This content is informational only and does not constitute investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments. Please visit www.ninjatrader.com for additional information and disclosures. © 2026 NinjaTrader Group LLC. All rights reserved. NinjaTrader and the NinjaTrader logo are registered trademarks of the NinjaTrader Group, LLC. Futures trading involves substantial risk and is not for every investor. An investor could potentially lose all or more than the initial investment. Risk capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing one's financial security or lifestyle. Only risk capital should be used for trading and only those with sufficient risk capital should consider trading. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Futures products and services on Kraken are provided by NinjaTrader Clearing LLC dba Kraken Derivatives US, a regulated Futures Commission Merchant that is a member of the National Futures Association ("NFA") (NFA ID 0309379) and registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"). You should be aware that the NFA does not have regulatory oversight over underlying or spot virtual currency products, transactions, exchanges, custodians or markets. Spot accounts are maintained by Payward Interactive Inc., which is not CFTC registered and is not a member of the NFA.
Kraken Set to Launch First CFTC-Regulated Perpetual Futures for US Traders
CHEYENNE, Wyo.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Kraken, one of the world's longest-standing, most liquid and secure cryptocurrency platforms, has set out plans to launch the first CFTC-regulated perpetual futures in the US in the next 30 days. Eligible US clients will be able to trade perpetual futures on Kraken Pro, giving them domestic access to the contract that drives most global crypto derivatives volume, integrated alongside spot, margin and CME-listed futures on a single interface. Perpetual contracts
Earnings Flash (PNG.V) Kraken Robotics Reports Q1 Revenue C$21.7M, Up 35%; Covelya Buy "Remains On Track" To Close Near End of Q2 2026
Kraken Robotics Inc. is engaged in transforming subsea intelligence through three-dimensional (3D) imaging sensors, power solutions, and robotic systems. It offers derisking offshore energy installations through high resolution subsea geophysical, sonar, and LiDAR surveys. Its synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) is a technology evolution, integrating the capability to perform imaging and bathymetric mapping simultaneously. Its KATFISH actively stabilized SAS towfish system delivers ultra-high-resolution data of up to 2 cm x 2 cm. Its SeaPower is a subsea lithium-ion battery featuring a proprietary polymer matrix for pressure-tolerant encapsulation and an integrated battery management system (BMS). Its LiDAR solutions deliver millimeter-resolution metrologies, enabling informed decision-making on underwater assets and infrastructure. Its sub-bottom imager delivers 3D data, providing a clear understanding of subsea stratigraphy, undersea infrastructure, and hazards.
Pi Network exchange listings: Kraken spot and OKX US access
Pi Network exchange listings are finally easier to separate from rumor. The clearest part of the story now is this: Kraken began spot trading for PI on March 13, 2026, and OKX opened US access to PI on May 21, 2026. But Binance still has not listed PI, and Coinbase has neither listed the token nor publicly engaged with the project. That split matters because it shows how Pi's exchange story is no longer just about whether major platforms have noticed it. Some already have. The bigger question now is why certain top-tier venues moved while others stayed on the sidelines. And that is where the picture gets more interesting. Kraken and OKX have given PI meaningful access on major trading venues, especially for US users. At the same time, Binance's long silence after a community vote and Coinbase's total public quiet have turned into a signal of their own. Kraken launched PI spot trading on March 13, 2026. That made it one of the most important confirmed steps yet in Pi's path toward broader exchange acceptance. The listing did not come out of nowhere. Kraken had already listed PI perpetual futures before moving into spot markets, giving the exchange prior exposure to PI trading activity. Around the same period, Pi also completed its mandatory v20.2 protocol upgrade on March 12, 2026, and the Pi DEX launched the same day as Kraken's spot listing. PI rallied by roughly 30% around the Kraken announcement, a sign that the market viewed the listing as more than routine exchange expansion. Then came the second big change. OKX opened US access to PI on May 21, 2026, adding another important channel for American users. That move changed the real-world trading picture for PI because it expanded availability on a major venue rather than simply adding another offshore listing. These two developments gave Pi Network exchange listings a more concrete shape in 2026. For a long time, debate around PI focused on hypothetical listings. Now there are confirmed milestones with dates attached. Kraken's March 13 spot launch and OKX's May 21 US access change the discussion from "will major exchanges support PI?" to "which major exchanges are still holding back, and why?" That is an important shift for users and traders. Exchange access is often treated as a legitimacy signal, especially when the venue is large and regulated. In Pi's case, Kraken's move was particularly notable because it followed earlier derivatives support, suggesting the exchange was already comfortable enough with PI's market structure to expand into spot trading. OKX's US access added a different kind of significance. It meant PI was not just available on a large global exchange in theory; US users could reach it directly through that venue. For all the attention around Binance, the central fact remains simple: Binance has not listed PI. That is especially striking because Binance held a PI community vote in February 2025. The vote generated strong support, but it never turned into a listing. More than a year later, that gap between community enthusiasm and exchange action is one of the defining facts in the Pi story. The vote itself became one of the most discussed moments in Pi's exchange history, but it also created confusion. Community support is not the same thing as exchange approval. Binance showed there was interest. It did not promise a listing. Based on the available facts, the likely barriers are more about exchange standards than about market demand. The concerns most often tied to Binance's inaction include: This is one of the biggest "why this matters" moments in the story. Binance's hesitation suggests that for a project like Pi, user scale and community enthusiasm may not be enough on their own. For a top exchange, technical openness, independent verification, and governance structure can carry just as much weight as demand. That helps explain why Binance's February 2025 vote still has not resulted in a listing, even after PI gained more exchange traction elsewhere. If Binance at least tested community interest, Coinbase has taken a colder approach. Coinbase has not listed PI and has not issued a public statement on the project. There has been no public vote, no visible listing pipeline entry, and no sign of active engagement. In practical terms, Coinbase's position is not ambiguous. It has simply stayed out. That silence matters because Coinbase is often viewed as one of the most conservative major exchanges when it comes to new listings. The exchange's public posture has long been shaped by regulatory caution, particularly in the US. The strongest explanation in the available reporting is US regulatory uncertainty. PI's status under US law is not formally settled, and that creates a problem for a compliance-focused exchange. The article's analysis points to this as the most likely reason Coinbase has stayed away while Kraken and OKX moved ahead. This is the second major "why this matters" point. Coinbase's absence is not just another missing logo on a market-watch list. It reflects how regulatory ambiguity can shape access to crypto assets even after they begin reaching major venues elsewhere. The same reporting argues that Binance is mainly held back by transparency, audit, and decentralization questions, while Coinbase is more constrained by US regulatory uncertainty. That distinction is key because it suggests the two exchanges are not waiting for the same thing. Another part of the exchange picture is more direct. Bybit CEO Ben Zhou called Pi a scam in early 2025. That makes Bybit different from Binance and Coinbase. Binance has not acted. Coinbase has not spoken. Bybit, by contrast, publicly rejected the project's credibility. Pi's team disputed that framing, but the result is the same: Bybit has not changed course. The last few months have done a lot to update Pi's exchange narrative. Before this stretch, many conversations about Pi were still anchored in old assumptions. Now there are two major points that are hard to ignore: Kraken launched PI spot trading on March 13, 2026, and OKX opened US access on May 21, 2026. That does not settle the biggest questions around Pi. But it does narrow them. Instead of asking whether PI can appear on a major exchange at all, the market is now asking why some of the biggest names still have not moved. For Binance, the sticking points appear tied to transparency, auditability, and decentralization. For Coinbase, the obstacle appears more rooted in US regulatory uncertainty. The next phase of Pi Network exchange listings will likely be judged less by community excitement and more by what measurable obstacles get removed. For Binance, the pressure point appears to be project structure: code openness, third-party audit visibility, and stronger decentralization signals. For Coinbase, the focus is different. Its silence points back to regulatory clarity and whether PI's status in the US becomes easier for a compliance-first exchange to assess. That leaves Pi in an unusual position. It already has meaningful progress on major exchange access, including PI on Kraken and fresh OKX US PI access. But the two names that still matter most for broader market perception, Binance and Coinbase PI, remain unresolved. That tension is now the real center of the story.
Precio de las acciones, noticias, cotización e historial de Kraken Robotics Inc. (PNG.V) - Yahoo Finanzas
Kraken Robotics Inc. Información general Scientific & Technical Instruments / Technology Kraken Robotics Inc., a marine technology company, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of sonar and optical sensors, batteries, and underwater robotic equipment for military and commercial applications. The company operates in two segments, Products and Services. The company offers Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS), a technology to perform imaging and bathymetric mapping; KATFISH Towed SAS, a synthetic aperture sonar towfish operates at speeds up to 10 knots providing increased area coverage rates; and SeaPower, a pressure tolerant deep-sea battery. It also offers LiDAR Solutions that delivers precision inspection and monitoring of underwater assets and environments; Sub-Bottom Imaging services that deliver 3D data of subsea stratigraphy and hazards; Acoustic Core that provides a 3D image of stratigraphy layers and anomalies across the entire foundation footprint; and Towed SAS Survey services. The company's products are used in military and commercial applications in Canada, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and internationally. The company was formerly known as Kraken Sonar Inc. and changed its name to Kraken Robotics Inc. in September 2017. Kraken Robotics Inc. is headquartered in Mount Pearl, Canada.
Analyst Links DWF Labs to ESPORTS Market Making After $13.9M Kraken Deposit
An on-chain analyst has reportedly linked DWF Labs to market making activity involving the ESPORTS token after a $13.9 million token deposit was directed to the Kraken exchange, raising questions about the firm's involvement with the gaming-focused cryptocurrency. The claim, attributed to an analyst tracking blockchain fund flows, connects DWF Labs to a large deposit of ESPORTS tokens on Kraken. The $13.9 million figure represents a significant transfer relative to the token's typical trading volume, drawing attention from traders monitoring exchange inflows for signals of upcoming liquidity shifts. It is important to note that the connection between DWF Labs and the deposit remains an analyst-sourced claim, not an officially confirmed arrangement. Neither DWF Labs nor Kraken has publicly commented on the alleged market making relationship as of press time. Large token deposits to centralized exchanges are closely watched by market participants because they can precede several different types of activity. Kraken listed ESPORTS for trading on its platform, providing the infrastructure for the token to be traded against major pairs. A deposit of this size to an exchange could indicate liquidity provisioning, where a market maker places inventory on an order book to tighten spreads and improve trading conditions. It could also signal preparation for large-scale selling, which would create downward price pressure. The distinction matters significantly for traders. Liquidity provisioning typically stabilizes price action by reducing slippage on both buy and sell orders. Directional selling, by contrast, can trigger cascading sell pressure, particularly in tokens with thinner order books, similar to dynamics observed when exchanges adjust leveraged trading pairs and liquidity shifts rapidly. Market making, at its core, involves continuously quoting buy and sell prices to facilitate trading. A designated market maker profits from the spread between bid and ask prices while providing liquidity that benefits other participants. When an analyst publicly links a well-known firm like DWF Labs to market making on a specific token, sentiment effects can be immediate. Traders often interpret the presence of a large market maker as a sign of institutional confidence in the token's near-term trading viability. However, the label "market making" can also mask other activities. Without transparency into the specific terms of any arrangement, market participants cannot distinguish between neutral liquidity provision and arrangements that may involve token sales on behalf of a project, a distinction that matters for understanding potential sell pressure. Platforms offering on-chain data query tools can help traders investigate such flows independently. Confirmation or refutation of the analyst's claim will depend on observable on-chain and exchange-level activity in the coming days. Traders tracking this situation should watch for several specific signals. First, wallet tracking tools can reveal whether the depositing address has historical ties to known DWF Labs wallets. Patterns of prior transactions, token approvals, and interactions with DWF-linked contracts would strengthen or weaken the analyst's attribution. Second, changes in ESPORTS order book depth on Kraken would indicate whether the deposited tokens are being used for two-sided market making or positioned for directional selling. A sudden increase in both bid and ask liquidity would suggest the former. Third, any official statement from DWF Labs or the ESPORTS project team would provide definitive clarity. In the absence of such confirmation, the connection remains speculative, and traders should weigh it accordingly. Programs that reward liquidity providers have become increasingly common across the industry, making market making arrangements more frequent but not always publicly disclosed. No. The link between DWF Labs and ESPORTS market making activity is based on an analyst's interpretation of on-chain data. Neither DWF Labs nor the ESPORTS project has issued a public statement confirming or denying the relationship. Large deposits to centralized exchanges like Kraken signal that tokens are being moved from private wallets to a venue where they can be traded. This can mean the depositor intends to sell, provide liquidity as a market maker, or facilitate other trading operations. The size of the deposit relative to normal trading volume determines how much attention it receives. Market making involves continuously placing buy and sell orders on an exchange to provide liquidity. Market makers profit from the spread between their bid and ask prices. In cryptocurrency markets, designated market makers often work with token projects to ensure sufficient liquidity on exchanges, reducing price slippage for retail traders. Additional source references: source document 1. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.
Kraken's AVAX staking rollout reflects the growing financialization of crypto staking - AMBCrypto
Kraken's latest Avalanche staking launch highlights how crypto exchanges are increasingly transforming staking from a technical network function into a packaged yield product for retail users. The exchange announced that it had introduced multiple AVAX staking and earning options for global users, including bonded staking, flexible staking, and an "Auto Earn" product that automatically restakes rewards. Kraken said bonded staking will initially offer yields of up to 10% APY, then adjust to 7% later. Also, flexible staking and Auto Earn products offer up to 3.5% APY. On the surface, the rollout appears to be another exchange staking expansion. But combined with Avalanche's existing network participation data, the launch reflects a broader industry shift toward exchange-controlled staking infrastructure and yield aggregation. Those figures suggest Avalanche staking participation is already well established rather than underdeveloped. That makes Kraken's move less about introducing staking access and more about competing to capture idle AVAX liquidity inside exchange ecosystems. The launch also reflects a wider trend across crypto markets, where centralized exchanges are increasingly positioning themselves as yield platforms that simplify staking, lending, and passive earning products for mainstream users. Kraken repeatedly emphasized simplicity in its announcement, arguing that users no longer need to manage their own validator infrastructure or technical setup. That convenience could prove attractive for retail users, particularly as staking becomes more integrated into exchange products and portfolio management tools. At the same time, the growth of custodial staking services may further concentrate delegated assets around large exchange operators rather than independent validators. That dynamic has become a growing point of debate across proof-of-stake ecosystems, where easier staking access can improve participation while also increasing reliance on centralized infrastructure providers. The geographic scope of the rollout is also notable. Kraken said the AVAX staking products are available across multiple major jurisdictions, including the United States, excluding New York and Maine, alongside the UK, EU, Canada, and Australia. That suggests major exchanges are becoming increasingly comfortable expanding staking services again after years of regulatory scrutiny surrounding staking-as-a-service products.
Kraken Secures Dubai VARA License Ahead of Planned 2027 IPO - TokenPost
Crypto exchange Kraken, operated by parent company Payward, has secured regulatory approval from Dubai's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), marking a significant step in its global expansion strategy. The approval allows Kraken to expand regulated crypto services in the United Arab Emirates through its locally licensed entity, strengthening its presence in the Middle East crypto market. With the VARA license, Kraken Prime will offer institutional and retail users access to services including instant trading, margin trading, OTC trading, staking products, and institutional-grade crypto solutions. UAE customers will also gain access to Kraken's global liquidity network spanning the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions. In addition, clients will be able to deposit and withdraw funds directly in UAE dirhams through the company's regulated Dubai subsidiary. Kraken Co-CEO Arjun Sethi praised Dubai's progressive crypto regulations, noting that the emirate established a clear digital asset framework before many other jurisdictions recognized the industry. According to Sethi, operating under VARA provides stronger investor confidence by allowing Kraken to serve customers through a fully supervised local entity instead of relying on offshore operations. The Dubai expansion follows Kraken's recent rollout of regulated margin trading services in the United States. While UAE users currently have access to Kraken's Buy, Trade, and Earn products, including spot crypto trading and staking, the company plans to introduce additional offerings such as derivatives trading, crypto lending, and investment products for eligible clients in the future. The regulatory milestone comes as Payward reportedly postponed its anticipated U.S. IPO from 2026 to 2027. The company had already filed confidential paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Reports suggest Kraken is targeting a valuation of nearly $20 billion ahead of its public debut. The delay reportedly allows the exchange to focus on artificial intelligence integration and operational restructuring efforts, including recent workforce reductions. Kraken also recently partnered with Franklin Templeton to expand into tokenized securities, further positioning itself within the growing digital asset ecosystem.
Kraken nears UAE launch after Dubai VARA approval
Kraken has moved closer to launching in the United Arab Emirates after its parent company, Payward, received preliminary approval from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. Payward received preliminary approval for a broker-dealer, investment and management licence from VARA. The approval gives Kraken a path toward offering regulated crypto services in Dubai once the remaining requirements are completed. The approval was granted on Thursday, May 21, moving Kraken closer to a full UAE rollout. The exchange has not confirmed a launch date, but plans to offer UAE dirham funding, margin trading, OTC trading and Kraken Prime access for institutional clients. The planned launch would give UAE users direct crypto market access through local currency rails. AED funding and withdrawals could reduce friction for traders who currently rely on foreign currency routes or third-party payment channels. Kraken also plans to offer institutional clients access to Kraken Prime. The service targets funds, trading firms and professional market participants that need deeper liquidity, execution tools and post-trade support. Kraken's move follows earlier regional work. The exchange received approval in 2022 to operate under Abu Dhabi's financial free zone framework, making the latest Dubai approval part of a broader UAE strategy. Dubai's public VARA register includes licensed crypto firms across exchange, broker-dealer, custody and lending activities. VARA says it regulates virtual asset services in and from Dubai, except in the Dubai International Financial Centre. Payward and Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi framed Dubai's rulebook as a reason for the move. He said that regulatory clarity has helped bring liquidity and institutional capital to the UAE. "Dubai wrote a rulebook for crypto before most jurisdictions even acknowledged the asset class," he said. Related crypto.news coverage shows Dubai has continued to expand regulated crypto payments and market access. Crypto.com recently received a UAE Stored Value Facilities license, allowing Dubai government fee payments through its regulated platform, with settlement in dirhams or approved stablecoins. Another crypto.news report said VARA issued guidance on token issuance in Dubai. The guidance clarified how virtual assets should be structured, disclosed and distributed, including rules for stablecoins and asset-referenced tokens. Kraken has also been expanding outside the UAE. Related coverage said Payward agreed to acquire Hong Kong-based Reap Technologies for $600 million, strengthening Kraken's stablecoin payments and Asia strategy. The Dubai approval now gives Kraken another regulated growth path. The company is targeting local funding, professional trading tools and institutional access in one of the most active crypto markets in the Middle East.
