TLDR

Kraken has expanded its derivatives trading services across the EU by acquiring a licensed firm in Cyprus.
The acquisition gives Kraken a MiFID license that enables it to operate in all EU member states and the wider EEA.
This move follows the recent launch of Kraken’s derivatives platform in the United Kingdom.
Kraken offers regulated derivatives products to advanced crypto traders across selected European markets.
Derivatives trading accounts for about half of Kraken’s global trading volume.

Kraken has expanded its derivatives business across the European Union by acquiring a regulated entity in Cyprus. The strategic move enables Kraken to offer derivatives trading through a MiFID-licensed platform. This development comes just six weeks after Kraken launched its derivatives services in the United Kingdom.

Kraken continues to build momentum across regulated European markets by increasing its offerings to qualified traders and institutions. With this expansion, Kraken strengthens its presence in Europe, a key market for digital asset trading. The company now serves users in all 27 EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

By acquiring a Cypriot investment firm earlier this year, the exchange secured a MiFID license to operate throughout the European Economic Area. The license allows the exchange to deliver regulated derivatives services across the region. The firm has positioned this license as essential to its long-term European growth strategy.

Kraken Gains Edge with Cypriot License

Kraken now provides access to its derivatives products under full EU regulatory compliance. This move ensures the company meets regional legal requirements while expanding services to advanced crypto traders. The Cypriot license increases Kraken’s ability to compete with other global trading platforms in regulated markets.

The licensed entity offers a streamlined path to exchange to serve clients across multiple jurisdictions under a single regulatory framework. This approach reduces the need for separate country-specific approvals. Kraken uses this advantage to deliver faster service rollouts and broader market access.

The exchange has prioritized compliance in each phase of its European expansion. The company leverages regulatory licenses to maintain legal transparency and enhance user trust. Its operations across the EU align with the bloc’s strict financial standards.

Derivatives Growth Supports Global Strategy

Kraken reports that derivatives trading accounts for approximately half of its global trading volume. The firm continues to focus on this segment due to growing global demand. Worldwide, derivatives represent nearly 75% of all crypto trading activity.

The exchange introduced derivatives in the UK under the Financial Conduct Authority in May. The UK remains Kraken’s second-largest market after the United States. The European rollout builds on the company’s established infrastructure in these two major markets.

 

The post Kraken Secures EU Expansion: What’s Behind Its Quiet Cyprus Acquisition? appeared first on CoinCentral.

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Filed under: News - @ May 20, 2025 1:28 pm