kraken

According to CoinDesk, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (#CFTC ) has unveiled the first group of members for its new CEO Innovation Council. The council will focus on exploring developments in derivatives market structure, with a particular emphasis on tokenization, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain technology.
#Polymarket #Kalshi #Gemini #Kraken

🇬🇧 SPECIAL REPORT: UK Crypto Ecosystem's Mixed Reaction to Regulatory Clarity
The establishment of a definitive legal and regulatory framework in the UK has elicited a complex reaction from the cryptocurrency ecosystem. While the recognition of digital assets as legal property has boosted long-term confidence, the strict consumer protection rules are facing criticism for potentially stifling innovation and product access.
Confidence Boost for Long-Term Holders
The passing of the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025, which officially recognizes cryptocurrencies as legal property, has been a significant catalyst for investor confidence. This legal clarity reduces the "fear factor" surrounding the legal status of digital holdings, encouraging a new wave of long-term capital commitment:
* Institutions and Funds: Traditional financial institutions and investment funds are now expected to be more assertive in allocating capital to crypto assets, leveraging the newly secured legal foundation for ownership, transfer, and inheritance.$ETH
* Retail Investors: Individual UK investors gain greater peace of mind, treating crypto as a securely protected component of their long-term wealth portfolios.
Industry Criticism: Overly Strict Compliance
Despite the positive legal foundation, key industry players have voiced strong objections to the stringent consumer protection and advertising rules being enforced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
* Kraken's Critique: Leadership from major exchanges, such as Kraken, has publicly complained that the UK's overly restrictive advertising and risk warning requirements are forcing users to "miss out" on approximately 75% of crypto products and derivatives—products that are widely available to consumers in less regulated markets like the United States. Critics argue this excessive caution hinders product innovation and limits consumer choice.
New Opportunities for Mainstream Integration
Crucially, the simultaneous legalization of crypto as property and the creation of a regulated environment for stablecoins create massive new opportunities for mainstream integration:
* Fintech & Blockchain Services: The legal certainty paves the way for the robust #BTCVSGOLD development of new Fintech services, DeFi applications, and blockchain-based payment solutions leveraging regulated stablecoins and legally secure digital assets.

* Mainstream Finance Convergence: By regulating the sector rather than banning it, the UK is positioning its crypto market to move closer to the mainstream financial system, fostering stability, trust, and wider adoption. $XRP
The UK's strategy represents a trade-off: security and legal protection at the cost of product access and speed of innovation. $DASH
#UKCrypto #Kraken #Fintech #DigitalProperty

The tokenization market just delivered another major signal of growth. Nonce Classic has officially exited its investment in Backed Finance, shortly after Kraken acquired the platform — a move that highlights how quickly real-world asset (RWA) tokenization is becoming part of mainstream crypto infrastructure.

Kraken’s acquisition strengthens the case for tokenized stocks. Backed Finance built xStocks, fully collateralized digital tokens backed 1:1 by shares of major companies. This model brings traditional equities onto the blockchain, offering 24/7 access, global liquidity, and future integration with DeFi.

Nonce Classic’s early investment in Backed Finance paid off because they backed a regulated, compliance-first issuer at the right moment. Their exit shows how Web3 investors can benefit from infrastructure projects that connect TradFi and decentralized markets.

As tokenization expands, the industry will likely see more acquisitions, more integrations, and more demand for compliant RWA platforms. Kraken’s move is another sign that tokenized assets are transitioning from experiment to essential market infrastructure.

#Tokenization #Kraken #Web3 $BTC

Updated | Markets

Kraken, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges and a company preparing for a U.S. IPO next year, has officially launched an invite-only VIP program designed for ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWIs), elite traders, and strategic capital allocators.

The move signals a growing shift among crypto exchanges toward high-touch, relationship-driven services, traditionally seen in private banking and institutional finance.

What Is Kraken VIP?

Kraken VIP is positioned as a premium-tier service offering elevated client support, privileged access, and personalized relationship management.

Key highlights include:

Dedicated VIP Relationship Manager

24/7 multi-channel support

Early insight into Kraken’s full product ecosystem

Direct access to Kraken experts across liquidity, custody, infrastructure, and engineering

Priority influence on product development and platform strategy

According to Kraken, the program is built for clients who operate at true scale, not just high-frequency traders.

Who Qualifies?

Membership to Kraken VIP requires:

$10 million average balance held on the platform

OR

$80 million in annual trading volume

This places the program firmly out of reach for retail investors and squarely focused on whales, family offices, funds, and professional trading entities.

Beyond Trading: “Extraordinary Experiences”

In a move that goes beyond financial services, Kraken is also offering VIP members access to exclusive off-platform experiences, including:

Formula 1 events

Football matches

Cultural and private regional meet-ups

These experiences are not available to the general public and are designed to deepen loyalty and long-term engagement with top-tier clients.

Why This Matters for the Crypto Industry

Crypto exchanges are increasingly competing for elite capital, especially as retail trading activity fluctuates. Just weeks earlier, Binance introduced its own premium offering aimed at wealthy clients, highlighting a clear industry trend.

This signals:

Rising institutionalization of crypto
Growing separation between retail and elite market participants
Exchanges evolving into digital-asset private banks

LIVE UPDATE

Market observers note that Kraken’s VIP launch aligns closely with its IPO preparation strategy, suggesting the exchange is prioritizing:

Stable, long-term depositsHigh-revenue, low-churn clients
Stronger institutional credibility ahead of public listing scrutiny
Industry insiders say more exchanges are expected to roll out similar elite tiers in the coming months.

NEW UPDATE

Sources familiar with exchange competition suggest VIP programs could soon expand to include:

Customized custody and settlement solutions
Cross-border tax and compliance supportPrivate OTC liquidity channels for large block trades

If confirmed, this would further blur the line between crypto exchanges and traditional private financial institutions.

Bottom Line

Kraken VIP represents a major shift in how crypto platforms view their most valuable users. The future of crypto trading isn’t just about speed and fees — it’s increasingly about access, influence, and capital scale.

As crypto matures, power is consolidating — and exchanges are racing to secure it.

#Kraken #InstitutionalCrypto #VIPTrading #WealthManagement #CryptoMarket