Kraken has enabled eligible clients in the European Economic Area to trade Bitcoin and Ether options through Kraken Pro, utilizing the MiFID license of a Cypriot firm acquired in 2025. This expansion follows the initial launch of these derivatives outside Europe in July 2026, fulfilling the company’s stated plan to bring the service to the region later in the year.
The new products are European-style, cash-settled in US dollars, and executed via a request-for-quote system rather than a public order book. Portfolio margin is enabled by default, allowing users to offset positions across their portfolio, while cryptoassets within the unified account are held by an Ireland-based entity under the EU’s MiCA framework.
Key facts
- Trading access for EEA clients launched on October 26, 2026, following a July 2026 debut outside Europe.
- Contracts are European-style, cash-settled in USD, with weekly, monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual expiries.
- Execution occurs through a request-for-quote system where clients accept time-limited prices for up to five-component trades.
- Portfolio margin is enabled by default, permitting the use of more than 30 currencies and assets as collateral.
- The options are provided by Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited, regulated by CySEC under licence 342/17.
- Cryptoassets in the account are held by Ireland-based Payward Europe Solutions Limited under the EU’s MiCA framework.
Why it matters
The source states that because losses can trigger additional margin requirements or liquidation, Kraken warns that losses from selling certain options may exceed the margin initially posted.