Kraken

Kraken, legally named Payward, Inc., is a US-based cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2011 in San Francisco. It operates as a cryptocurrency exchange platform allowing users to buy, sell, trade, and stake digital assets. Kraken offers a comprehensive platform for trading various cryptocurrencies, including popular tokens and emerging altcoins, and supports hundreds of trading pairs. The company provides various trading options such as spot, leverage, and futures trading, catering to both novice and experienced investors. Kraken is recognized for its strong security measures, including two-factor authentication and cold storage for digital assets. It also offers advanced trading features through Kraken Pro, which provides enhanced trading tools, a customizable interface, and detailed analytics. Beyond cryptocurrencies, in most US states, the exchange also facilitates the trading of stocks, futures, and ETFs. In 2025, Kraken began allowing the trading of tokenized equities by non-US customers. Kraken's revenue primarily comes from transaction fees, which vary based on volume incentives and the type of trading. The company has expanded its global operations, securing virtual asset service provider (VASP) licenses in Ireland, Italy, and Spain in 2023, and acquiring the Netherlands-based crypto-exchange Coin Meester B.V. (BCM) in October 2023. Sources: [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraken_(cryptocurrency_exchange) [2] https://beincrypto.com/companies/kraken/ [3] https://tracxn.com/d/companies/kraken/__K8eQ_bnwtoEzrre_iQrRk_2-6sBivxjdpOCeXGVrx1w [4] https://coincub.com/exchanges/kraken-review/ [5] https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/kraken-investing-review [6] https://www.privco.com/company/kraken