Kraken, one of the largest cryptocurrency platforms in the world, has begun gradually rolling out commission-free trading of stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to users in the United States. The exchange announced the move on April 14. Access is currently available in several states, with plans for international expansion.
Starting Monday, users from New Jersey, Connecticut, Wyoming, and Oklahoma gained access to the new feature — trading in over 11,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs. The service is offered with zero commission. Kraken plans to expand access to other states and later to markets in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia.
According to Kraken co-head Arjun Sethi, the launch of stock trading is a logical step in the platform's evolution.
“The future of trading is 24/7, borderless access built on crypto infrastructure,” he said.
Strategy Integrating Crypto and Traditional Assets
Kraken positions itself as a next-generation fintech platform that bridges traditional and digital assets. Oppenheimer analyst Owen Lau noted that the exchange is becoming a “full-cycle application,” offering services across both TradFi and Web3.
According to Lau, there is a convergence trend in the industry — traditional financial firms are becoming more interested in crypto assets, while crypto companies are moving into conventional markets. Kraken’s new strategy aims to create a “unified trading environment” where users can access multiple asset classes through a single interface.
