Kraken to Buy Futures Platform NinjaTrader for $1.5 Billion (1)

Kraken is acquiring retail futures trading platform NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion, allowing the crypto exchange to offer crypto futures and derivatives in the US for the first time and to expand into more traditional markets.

NinjaTrader, which is majority-backed by Long Ridge Equity Partners, is registered as a Futures Commission Merchant with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Kraken said in a statement Thursday. The transaction is subject to certain purchase price adjustments.

The acquisition also accelerates Kraken’s plans for equities trading and payments, the firm said. Founded in 2003, NinjaTrader provides futures trading tools to nearly two million users. ...