Key Takeaways:
- Kraken has launched commission-free trading for over 11,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs through its new division, Kraken Securities.
- The service is initially available in ten U.S. states, with plans to expand nationwide and eventually to international markets like the U.K., Europe, and Australia.
- Users can now manage stocks, crypto, stablecoins, and cash in one platform, with features like fractional trading and seamless reinvestment.
- Kraken is pursuing a FINRA broker-dealer license and positioning itself at the forefront of the shift toward borderless, 24/7 trading across traditional and digital asset classes.
Crypto exchange Kraken announced on April 14 that it is entering a new phase of expansion with the launch of commission-free stock and exchange traded fund (ETF) trading in the United States.
Kraken said it has established a securities division, Kraken Securities, in a blogpost on Monday. This marks the company’s first step into traditional finance.
U.S. Clients Can Trade Stocks and ETFs From Kraken Accounts
Starting today, Kraken said U.S.-based clients in ten states—including New Jersey, Connecticut, Wyoming, and Alabama—can trade over 11,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs directly from their Kraken accounts.
This is the beginning of a phased rollout, with plans to expand access to clients in additional states in the near future. Kraken’s move into equities is a strategic push to integrate traditional and digital assets on one platform.
Clients will be able to manage a portfolio of crypto, stocks, stablecoins, and cash within the Kraken mobile app, Kraken Pro app.
Kraken Securities Offers Equities
“We’ve always believed in breaking down barriers to investing and redefining financial access for our clients,” said Kraken in a statement. “Now we’re taking the next step in our evolution by entering a new asset class—equities.”
The newly launched stock trading feature comes with capabilities, including fractional trading—allowing users to buy slices of high-priced stocks—and instant reinvestment of funds across stocks or crypto after a sale.
Kraken said it seeks to eliminate the need for multiple platforms by offering a fully integrated experience.
Kraken Securities, a FINRA-regulated entity in the U.S., has also secured regulatory approval in the U.K.
“Crypto isn’t just evolving, it’s becoming the backbone for trading across asset classes. Expanding into equities is a natural step for us and paves the way for the tokenization of assets,” said Arjun Sethi, Kraken’s Co-CEO.
Looking ahead, Kraken said it plans to rapidly expand stock and ETF trading access to more U.S. states and key international markets, including the U.K., Europe, and Australia.
SEC Drops Charges Against Kraken
Earlier this month, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped its charges against Kraken, ConsenSys, and Cumberland DRW.
New leadership under the Trump administration has played a role in the SEC’s dismissal of these lawsuits, paving the path towards broader U.S. crypto adoption. At the same time, Ripple has agreed to resolve its current SEC civil case by paying a $50 million penalty, but the lack of an official SEC announcement has left the crypto industry in limbo.
Based on Kraken’s latest announcement, the dismissal of charges was based on a “regulation-by-enforcement” approach that disregarded the leading crypto exchange’s consistent business model without merit.
In 2023, Kraken was accused of operating as an unlicensed securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency. The SEC argued that the platform enabled crypto trades that qualified as securities without proper registration.
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