Kraken raises a massive $800 million funding round, securing a $200 million strategic investment from Citadel Securities.
Author: Sahil Thakur
19th November 2025 – Kraken raises massive $800 million funding , securing a $200 million strategic investment from Citadel Securities. This fresh capital pushes Kraken’s valuation to $20 billion, making it one of the largest fundraises in crypto history. The deal also highlights the growing ties between traditional finance and digital asset platforms.
Kraken attracted major institutional investors in this round. Firms like Jane Street, DRW Venture Capital, HSG, Oppenheimer Alternative Investment Management, and Tribe Capital participated in the primary tranche. Kraken Co-CEO Arjun Sethi’s family office also joined the investment.
Soon after, Citadel Securities contributed an additional $200 million. With this move, Citadel brings its deep knowledge of liquidity, market structure, and management. This strengthens Kraken’s position as a leader in regulated crypto markets.
Unlike many startups, Kraken previously relied little on outside capital. Since launching in 2011, it had only raised $27 million. This new round signals a shift toward scaling up operations through institutional backing.
Jane Street and DRW are already active in the crypto space. Jane Street provided $1.7 billion in liquidity for Bitcoin ETFs in Q4 2024, while DRW contributed $365 million. Their participation supports Kraken’s goal of creating robust infrastructure for institutional adoption.
Kraken’s financial growth has also impressed investors. The company generated $1.5 billion in revenue in 2024. It exceeded that number in the first three quarters of 2025. Additionally, Kraken processed $665 billion in trading volume last year and held $42.8 billion in client assets.
Its integrated platform spans spot and derivatives trading, staking, tokenized assets, custody, and payments. This wide offering helps Kraken respond quickly to new opportunities while meeting regulatory expectations.
Recent strategic moves expanded Kraken’s services. The acquisition of NinjaTrader enabled access to US futures markets. Meanwhile, the launch of tokenized equities and the KRAK app introduced more payment, savings, and investment features. Kraken now supports 2.5 million funded accounts worldwide and holds licenses across several key regions.
Citadel Securities is not just investing money. The firm adds expertise in high-speed trading systems and global market infrastructure. Citadel has publicly supported digital assets, often highlighting their power to improve real-time, global transactions.
In July 2025, Citadel even shared feedback with the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, pushing for smarter digital asset regulation. Its partnership with Kraken reflects a broader trend: more Wall Street firms are embracing crypto seriously, not just experimentally.
Kraken plans to use the new funds to grow globally. It will focus on Latin America, Asia Pacific, and the EMEA region. The exchange also aims to deepen its regulatory ties in current markets and apply for new licenses. New product development is also underway, including institutional staking, advanced trading tools, and broader asset offerings.
This raise comes at a time when institutional interest in crypto is accelerating. Bitcoin ETFs have drawn billions in capital over the past two years. With Citadel now backing Kraken, the line between digital and traditional finance is starting to blur even more.
Still, this shift raises questions. Will Wall Street’s influence help bring crypto to the mainstream, or will it change the decentralized spirit of the industry? That remains to be seen as Kraken moves into its next phase.
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