Kraken is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2011 and regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the EU under MiCA and by the Central Bank of Ireland. The platform offers trading in over 600 cryptocurrency pairs, equities, ETFs, and futures contracts with leverage up to 10x, serving both retail and institutional clients through web, mobile, and API interfaces.
The company provides market-making and liquidity infrastructure through its institutional division, Kraken Institutional, which serves hedge funds, market makers, HFT firms, and asset managers. It offers spot and futures trading via API, OTC services, multi-venue liquidity access, custody solutions, and staking services. Kraken also operates xStocks, a tokenized equity trading product, and provides infrastructure services through subsidiary Payward.
Kraken's client base includes professional traders accessing advanced tools through Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop, as well as institutional participants using Kraken Institutional and Prime services. The platform emphasizes security and has conducted proof-of-reserves audits since its founding.