- Kraken launches commission-free stock and ETF trading in select U.S. states.
- Users can trade over 11,000 stocks and ETFs alongside crypto on one platform.
- Expansion planned for more U.S. states and international markets including the U.K. and Europe.
Kraken, a prominent U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange, has announced the rollout of commission-free trading for U.S.-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The move signifies the company’s entry into traditional financial markets, allowing selected users to trade equities and digital assets on the same platform.
Kraken’s latest upgrade will enable users to access over 11,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs directly through their accounts. The commission-free trading service is currently available to clients based in New Jersey, Connecticut, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Iowa, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Alabama, and the District of Columbia.
The feature is offered through Kraken Securities, a regulated division within Kraken that operates under the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This addition allows clients to trade traditional equities alongside cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and cash on a single platform.
Kraken stated that the stock and ETF trading feature represents the beginning of a phased rollout across the United States. The company plans to expand access to clients in other states in the coming months.
Features of Kraken’s Equities Offering
Kraken’s entry into equities trading introduces several key functionalities to simplify the user experience. Clients can reinvest funds immediately after selling stocks or ETFs. This flexibility extends to stock reinvestment and converting proceeds into digital assets like cryptocurrencies.
The platform also supports fractional trading, allowing users to purchase portions of high-value stocks. This feature enables more participation in equity markets, particularly for assets with higher price points.
Another plus for Kraken, which no other exchange offers, is the ability to manage stocks, cryptos, cash, and stablecoins all under one account. These services are available on the Kraken mobile application, the Kraken Pro mobile application, and the Kraken Pro web application.
Expansion Plans Beyond the United States
Kraken has outlined plans to bring its stock and ETF trading services to international markets after its U.S. launch. The company identified the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia as key regions for future expansion. No specific timeline has been provided, but Kraken indicated that extending these services is a priority in its broader strategy.
Kraken’s leadership highlighted the increasing demand for integrated trading platforms that combine traditional finance with digital assets. The company views the introduction of equities trading as a step toward asset tokenization and creating a trading environment that operates 24/7 across borders.
Bridging Digital Assets and Traditional Finance
The introduction of stocks and ETF trading is a plan that is inline with the Kraken mission to connect the digital and the traditional financial worlds. The company reiterated that the addition of equities not only lets institutions have consolidated access to both fixed income and equities without having to have multiple accounts and trading platforms.
In Kraken’s press release, the company’s management noted that the new direction is necessary for the development of the trading market, in which members expect more versatility and convenience of instruments. Kraken needs to create a synergy of equities and cryptos on one trading platform to simplify its clients’ trading experience.
