Kraken Rolls Out Commission-Free Stock and ETF Trading in the U.S.

Kraken, a major player in the cryptocurrency space, has officially launched commission-free trading for U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs. Starting this week, users in certain U.S. states can now access equities through the Kraken platform without paying any trading fees. This move marks the company’s first step into traditional financial markets.

According to Kraken, the rollout will begin with a limited number of states, with more to follow once the company secures the necessary regulatory approvals. An international launch is also on the roadmap, though no specific timeline has been announced.

Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi said the company sees traditional stocks as a natural addition to its services, calling this shift an important move toward building a unified platform for both crypto and conventional assets. “This sets the foundation for asset tokenization,” he said. “We believe the future of investing is global, operates 24/7, and runs on blockchain infrastructure.”

Kraken's strategy appears focused on meeting demand from investors who want more flexibility and fewer restrictions in managing their portfolios. By combining traditional equities with digital asset trading in one place, Kraken is looking to appeal to users seeking simplicity and convenience.

This new offering puts Kraken in direct competition with zero-commission trading platforms like Robinhood. However, Kraken is leveraging its deep crypto roots and existing user base to stand out. While platforms like Robinhood began with stocks and added crypto later, Kraken is taking the opposite path—bringing its crypto-native ecosystem into the world of traditional finance.

In addition to removing trading fees, Kraken’s long-term vision includes creating blockchain-based systems for trading tokenized versions of real-world assets. The idea is to eventually allow users to invest in stocks, property, or other assets through blockchain-powered transactions, with greater transparency and fewer limitations.

At this stage, the new stock trading feature is only available to eligible U.S. users, depending on their state of residence. Users are encouraged to check whether their state currently supports the new trading option through Kraken’s platform.

Kraken’s entry into equity trading comes at a time when financial services are undergoing significant change. Investors are increasingly looking for platforms that support both traditional and digital assets in one unified experience. With this rollout, Kraken is making its play to become one of those go-to platforms—without the commission fees that have long been a barrier for smaller investors.

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