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Kraken Turns Crypto Trading Into Sports-Style Bet With New “Perps” Contracts

    Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has launched a new
    derivatives product, introducing simplified perpetual contracts it calls
    “Kraken Perps.”

    The contracts, now available in select regions to
    eligible clients worldwide, allow users to speculate on crypto price movements
    without owning the underlying asset.

    A Betting Analogy for Complex Instruments

    “Perps are trading instruments designed to let users speculate on future price movements, up or down, without owning the asset
    involved,” the exchange explained.

    “Unlike a bet with your friend, there’s no expiry date
    or lock-in period, so you can hold your position as long as you want,” they added. “You also
    have the freedom to adjust the size of the position if you have more conviction
    over time, or cash out anytime.”

    The mechanics remain rooted in derivatives trading. To
    open a position, users fund trades with collateral from their Kraken balance.
    At launch, USD serves as the supported collateral, with other assets expected
    to follow. Traders then choose whether to increase or decrease exposure to a
    chosen cryptocurrency’s price.

    Related: Kraken Expands Forex Trading With Perpetual Contracts for Major Pairs

    A bullish view on Bitcoin , for example, could be
    expressed through a long perpetual contract, while a bearish outlook could be
    taken by shorting. Unlike traditional futures, there is no expiry date, giving
    traders flexibility to manage positions based on changing conviction.

    Balancing Simplicity and Risk

    The exchange said it will roll out educational
    resources to help users understand the mechanics and risks involved. Still, the
    choice of sports betting analogies has prompted debate about whether retail
    clients will fully grasp the leverage and volatility embedded in such
    instruments.

    Kraken Perps are reportedly live in select regions for
    eligible clients, with plans to expand access. The company framed the product
    not as a call to day-trade, but as another tool for expressing market views and
    building portfolio strategies.

    Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken expanded into forex trading
    in April by launching perpetual contracts for major currency pairs, including
    EUR/USD and GBP/USD. The new offering allows users to trade these FX pairs
    24/7, marking the first time Kraken has provided continuous access to
    traditional fiat markets alongside its crypto offerings.

    Following the Introduction of FX Perpetual Contracts

    The contracts, now available on Kraken Pro, operate without
    expiry, distinguishing them from standard FX products that follow set trading
    hours or maturities. According to Kraken, the mechanics of the FX perps are
    modeled on its existing crypto perpetual contracts, aiming to provide a
    familiar trading experience for its user base.

    Kraken reported that its platform handled $5.4 billion in FX
    spot trading volume in 2024, with EUR/USD and GBP/USD accounting for $3.5
    billion of that total. The move into perpetual FX contracts is positioned as a
    way to deepen access to these highly traded pairs while leveraging Kraken’s
    established infrastructure for crypto derivatives.

    Read more: Kraken’s Breakout Bet Could Normalize Prop Trading Across the Crypto Industry

    Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has launched a new
    derivatives product, introducing simplified perpetual contracts it calls
    “Kraken Perps.”

    The contracts, now available in select regions to
    eligible clients worldwide, allow users to speculate on crypto price movements
    without owning the underlying asset.

    A Betting Analogy for Complex Instruments

    “Perps are trading instruments designed to let users speculate on future price movements, up or down, without owning the asset
    involved,” the exchange explained.

    “Unlike a bet with your friend, there’s no expiry date
    or lock-in period, so you can hold your position as long as you want,” they added. “You also
    have the freedom to adjust the size of the position if you have more conviction
    over time, or cash out anytime.”

    The mechanics remain rooted in derivatives trading. To
    open a position, users fund trades with collateral from their Kraken balance.
    At launch, USD serves as the supported collateral, with other assets expected
    to follow. Traders then choose whether to increase or decrease exposure to a
    chosen cryptocurrency’s price.

    Related: Kraken Expands Forex Trading With Perpetual Contracts for Major Pairs

    A bullish view on Bitcoin , for example, could be
    expressed through a long perpetual contract, while a bearish outlook could be
    taken by shorting. Unlike traditional futures, there is no expiry date, giving
    traders flexibility to manage positions based on changing conviction.

    Balancing Simplicity and Risk

    The exchange said it will roll out educational
    resources to help users understand the mechanics and risks involved. Still, the
    choice of sports betting analogies has prompted debate about whether retail
    clients will fully grasp the leverage and volatility embedded in such
    instruments.

    Kraken Perps are reportedly live in select regions for
    eligible clients, with plans to expand access. The company framed the product
    not as a call to day-trade, but as another tool for expressing market views and
    building portfolio strategies.

    Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken expanded into forex trading
    in April by launching perpetual contracts for major currency pairs, including
    EUR/USD and GBP/USD. The new offering allows users to trade these FX pairs
    24/7, marking the first time Kraken has provided continuous access to
    traditional fiat markets alongside its crypto offerings.

    Following the Introduction of FX Perpetual Contracts

    The contracts, now available on Kraken Pro, operate without
    expiry, distinguishing them from standard FX products that follow set trading
    hours or maturities. According to Kraken, the mechanics of the FX perps are
    modeled on its existing crypto perpetual contracts, aiming to provide a
    familiar trading experience for its user base.

    Kraken reported that its platform handled $5.4 billion in FX
    spot trading volume in 2024, with EUR/USD and GBP/USD accounting for $3.5
    billion of that total. The move into perpetual FX contracts is positioned as a
    way to deepen access to these highly traded pairs while leveraging Kraken’s
    established infrastructure for crypto derivatives.

    Read more: Kraken’s Breakout Bet Could Normalize Prop Trading Across the Crypto Industry

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