Kraken partnership with Deutsche Börse Group targets unified access to traditional and digital assets

Kraken and Deutsche Börse Group unveil strategic tie-up

A new global alliance between two major financial players aims to reshape how institutions access digital assets, with the kraken partnership positioned at the core of a broader market infrastructure shift.

Kraken, one of the world’s longest-standing and most liquid cryptocurrency platforms, and Deutsche Börse Group, a leading financial market infrastructure provider, have announced a strategic partnership to unify access to traditional and digital asset markets. Effective immediately, the two companies will combine capabilities to build a more seamless bridge between established financial venues and the digital asset economy.

The collaboration spans trading, custody, settlement, collateral management, and tokenized assets. Moreover, the firms plan to roll out enhanced products and services that give institutional clients frictionless access to both ecosystems, aiming to create a truly holistic experience across asset classes.

First phase focuses on FX integration via 360T

In the initial phase, Kraken will integrate directly with 360T, a Deutsche Börse Group subsidiary and one of the world’s largest foreign-exchange trading venues. This integration will grant Kraken clients access to competitive, bank-grade FX liquidity via one of the deepest global liquidity pools available, significantly improving fiat on- and off-ramp efficiency.

According to the announcement, the new FX connection is designed to ensure institutional-grade execution quality and reliability. That said, both firms also see it as a foundational layer for future cross-asset integrations, as multi-currency support is critical for large institutional flows into and out of digital assets.

Expanding institutional crypto access and white-label services

The partnership will also use Kraken Embed to extend institutional access to crypto across Deutsche Börse Group’s extensive network. Together, the companies plan to develop advanced crypto trading white label solutions, enabling banks, fintechs, and other financial institutions to offer secure and compliant crypto trading and custody services to clients across Europe and the U.S.

Moreover, these white-label offerings are designed to let regulated entities plug crypto services directly into their existing client interfaces. This approach could accelerate institutional adoption by reducing integration friction and leveraging existing compliance frameworks.

Derivatives and regulated market access via Eurex and Crypto Finance

Subject to regulatory approvals, the two companies intend to make Eurex-listed derivatives available to trade on Kraken, broadening institutional access to Europe’s largest regulated futures and options marketplace. This potential eurex listed derivatives access would give crypto-native clients another channel into traditional derivatives products.

The collaboration will also enable Deutsche Börse Group clients to trade cryptocurrencies and derivatives through Crypto Finance, a Group subsidiary, as well as via Kraken’s exchange. Furthermore, custody for these products will leverage both Clearstream and Crypto Finance, enhancing institutional crypto custody solutions within a regulated framework.

Tokenization: xStocks and Clearstream securities

Kraken and Deutsche Börse Group will cooperate to integrate xStocks into the 360X ecosystem, significantly extending the reach of one of the most widely adopted tokenized equity standards globally. This move is designed to streamline tokenized equity distribution to a wider institutional audience.

In addition, Deutsche Börse Group and Kraken will work on enabling the distribution of securities held in custody at Clearstream in tokenized form to Kraken’s client base. However, any rollout of such services will depend on regulatory approvals and market demand for token-based representations of traditional securities.

Cross-border infrastructure and two-way market access

The partnership also establishes a framework for geographical and cross-border financial infrastructure access. Kraken will offer its U.S. capabilities to Deutsche Börse Group’s institutional clients seeking exposure to crypto and tokenized assets, while Deutsche Börse Group will provide its European infrastructure and services to Kraken’s global client base.

This two-way integration underscores a shared vision to connect traditional and digital markets seamlessly. Moreover, it positions both organizations to benefit from growing institutional interest in regulated digital asset exposure, including structured products and future tokenized instruments.

Executive perspectives on the strategic collaboration

“Our partnership with Deutsche Börse Group demonstrates what happens when two infrastructures designed for scale and trust intersect,” said Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO of Kraken. “By linking traditional and digital markets across a wide range of asset classes, we are building a holistic foundation for the next generation of financial innovation: defined by efficiency, openness, and client access.”

Stephan Leithner, CEO of Deutsche Börse Group, added: “This collaboration with Kraken is a great strategic fit for Deutsche Börse Group. It underscores our ongoing commitment to shaping the future of financial markets by combining the trust and resilience of our regulated infrastructure with the innovation of the digital asset ecosystem.” He emphasized that the partnership will enhance support for institutional clients in the digital asset era and help pave the way for digital capital markets.

Kraken: profile of a long-standing crypto platform

Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the world’s longest-standing and most secure crypto platforms. Its clients can trade more than 450 digital assets, as well as traditional instruments such as U.S. futures and U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, alongside 6 different national currencies, including GBP, EUR, USD, CAD, CHF, and AUD.

Trusted by millions of institutions, professional traders, and retail consumers, Kraken operates one of the fastest and most liquid trading platforms in the market. Moreover, its product suite covers the Kraken App, Kraken Pro, the Krak App, Kraken Institutional, Kraken Onchain, and the Ninja Trader retail trading platform, enabling clients to buy, sell, stake, earn rewards, and manage portfolios.

Kraken has set a high bar for transparency and client trust in crypto. It was the first crypto platform to conduct a Proof of Reserves audit and states that it complies with regulations and laws applicable to its business, while prioritizing client privacy and rigorous security standards.

Deutsche Börse Group: global infrastructure for capital markets

As an international exchange organization and innovative market infrastructure provider, Deutsche Börse Group ensures that capital markets remain fair, transparent, reliable, and stable. Its wide range of products, services, and technologies supports safe and efficient markets that underpin sustainable economies.

The Group’s business areas span the entire financial market transaction chain, including indices, data, software, SaaS, and analytical solutions, as well as admission, trading, and clearing functions. Additionally, it offers services for funds, the settlement and custody of financial instruments, and the management of collateral and liquidity across global markets.

As a technology company, Deutsche Börse Group develops state-of-the-art IT solutions and offers IT systems worldwide. With nearly 16,000 employees, it is headquartered in the financial center of Frankfurt/Rhine-Main and maintains a strong global presence in Luxembourg, Prague, Cork, London, Copenhagen, New York, Chicago, Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo, and Sydney.

For more information about Kraken, visit www.kraken.com, and for Deutsche Börse Group, see www.deutsche-boerse.com. Together, their new alliance signals a significant step toward closer alignment between traditional capital markets and the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape, with the kraken partnership serving as a blueprint for future institutional integrations.