Kraken Expands to Argentina and Hosts Magic Tournament at Bitcoin 2026

**Payward, the parent company of Kraken, is acquiring Reap**, a Hong Kong-based payments infrastructure firm that connects traditional card networks with stablecoin settlement systems. **What Reap brings to the table:** - Integration of card networks and traditional finance rails - Stablecoin-native settlement capabilities - Globally regulated card issuance infrastructure **The strategic move** expands Payward Services' footprint in Asia, particularly strengthening its position in stablecoin payments and regulated card issuance. This acquisition signals a push to bridge conventional payment systems with crypto-native infrastructure. The deal positions Payward to offer more seamless payment solutions that combine the stability of traditional finance with the efficiency of blockchain-based settlements. [Read the full announcement](<https://www.payward.com/press-release/payward-acquires-reap>)

Kraken Pro has officially launched **spot margin trading** for US retail customers, offering up to **10x leverage** on both long and short positions. **Key Features:** - CFTC-regulated trading environment - Available now on Kraken Pro platform - Supports both bullish and bearish strategies - Eligibility restrictions apply This marks a significant expansion of Kraken's US offerings, bringing institutional-grade leverage tools to retail traders under regulatory oversight. [Learn more about margin trading](https://kraken.com/features/margin-trading?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=2026_q2_kraken_global_us_margin_launch_awr&utm_content=link)

Kraken outlines **7 key changes** protocols experience when implementing qualified custodian services: - **Expanded investor access** - Institutional and regulated investors can participate when assets are held by qualified custodians - **Enhanced audit trails** - Complete transaction history and compliance documentation - **Treasury flexibility** - New options for capital deployment while maintaining security standards - **Regulatory compliance** - Built-in frameworks that meet institutional requirements - **Risk management** - Professional-grade security and insurance coverage - **Operational efficiency** - Streamlined processes for token management - **Market credibility** - Increased trust from institutional participants The guidance is part of Kraken 360's **Pre-TGE Playbook**, emphasizing that early infrastructure decisions significantly impact protocol success. Qualified custody serves as foundational infrastructure alongside compliance systems and liquidity planning. For protocols preparing for token generation events, establishing qualified custody early enables access to institutional capital and creates operational frameworks that scale. [Read the full playbook](https://blog.kraken.com/product/360/pre-tge-playbook-part-4)

Kraken is launching a new **Cash Pickup** service that will allow users to convert their cryptocurrency into physical cash. The announcement addresses a fundamental challenge in crypto adoption: the ability to actually spend digital assets in everyday situations. While the exchange has previously emphasized that crypto payments are inevitable, this new feature takes a practical step toward making cryptocurrency more accessible and usable. The service is currently listed as "coming soon" with no specific launch date announced. This move could bridge the gap between digital assets and traditional cash-based economies, particularly useful in regions where crypto acceptance remains limited.