Kraken

Kraken has received regulatory authorization from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), marking a significant expansion into the UAE market. **Key Services Approved:** - Spot trading - Margin trading - Over-the-counter (OTC) services - Staking products - Institutional access via Kraken Prime The authorization enables Kraken to serve both retail and institutional clients in the region. Support for AED (UAE Dirham) funding is planned for later in 2026. This follows Kraken's 2025 acquisition that enabled derivative product offerings across the European Union, demonstrating continued regulatory progress in major markets. [Read full announcement](<https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260521552844/en/Payward-Secures-VARA-Authorization-in-UAE-Enabling-Kraken-to-Expand-Regional-Presence>)

**Kraken has officially launched its platform in Ukraine**, bringing comprehensive crypto services to a country that has been crypto-native for years. **Key offerings include:** - 24/7 access to cryptocurrency trading - Payment services - Tokenized equities - Lower fees compared to alternatives - Rewards programs - Exclusive offers tailored for the Ukrainian community The launch recognizes Ukraine's established position in the crypto ecosystem and aims to provide the local community with enhanced access to digital asset services.

Kraken has launched a partnership with MoneyGram enabling users to withdraw cryptocurrency as local currency cash across 100+ countries. **Key Features:** - Near-instant access to funds - Cash pickup available at MoneyGram locations worldwide - Converts crypto directly to local currency The service provides a bridge between digital assets and traditional cash infrastructure, allowing Kraken users to access their crypto holdings through MoneyGram's established global network. [Learn more about the partnership](https://blog.kraken.com/news/moneygram-partnership)

The Senate Banking Committee passed the **CLARITY Act** in a bipartisan vote, moving the digital asset legislation to the Senate floor. **Key provisions:** - Establishes federal framework for digital asset categories - Clarifies jurisdictional boundaries between SEC and CFTC - Creates consistent standards for intermediaries The bill addresses the current fragmented regulatory landscape across multiple U.S. agencies. Bipartisan support came from Chairman Tim Scott, Cynthia Lummis, Ruben Gallego, and Angela Alsobrooks.

Kraken Financial has secured a **Federal Reserve master account**, marking a significant milestone as the first digital asset bank with direct access to the U.S. payments system. **Key Development:** - Direct connection to Federal Reserve payment rails - First crypto-native institution to achieve this status - Bridges digital assets with traditional financial infrastructure This follows the Federal Reserve's April 2025 withdrawal of restrictive crypto guidelines for banks, which opened the door for Bitcoin-based services like checking accounts and crypto-backed loans in traditional banking. The master account grants Kraken Financial the ability to settle transactions directly through the Federal Reserve, eliminating intermediary banks and potentially reducing costs and settlement times for customers. [Read the full announcement](https://blog.kraken.com/news/federal-reserve-master-account)

**Kraken adds $ZAMA to its listing roadmap**, marking a significant step for blockchain privacy technology. **What is ZAMA?** - Confidentiality layer for public blockchains like Ethereum and Solana - Uses Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) technology - Enables compliant privacy for onchain finance **The Privacy Problem** ZAMA addresses blockchain transparency as a vulnerability rather than a feature, bringing encrypted computation to public chains. **Recent Developments** - KuCoin previously featured ZAMA through a Dutch-style bidding mechanism - Fair price discovery with anti-whale protections - Market-driven approach with up to 10 strategic bids per participant *Geographic restrictions may apply for Kraken listings* [View Kraken's full roadmap](https://kraken.com/listings)

Kraken has launched **Kraken VIP**, a premium service targeting high-value clients who "move markets" rather than just follow them. The VIP program offers three key benefits: - Dedicated VIP relationship managers for personalized support - Early access to new products and features before general release - Curated VIP experiences and networking opportunities The service is currently **available to select clients only**, suggesting exclusive eligibility criteria. This follows Kraken's earlier launch of Kraken+, their premium subscription service for enhanced trading. Interested users can visit [kraken.com/VIP](http://kraken.com/VIP) to learn more about qualification requirements and program details.

**LAVA Network token ($LAVA) is coming to Kraken exchange** on December 10 at 10:00 AM UTC. **What is LAVA?** - Protocol that routes dApps and AI agents to fastest data providers - Works across multiple blockchain networks - Currently in post-only trading mode **Key Details:** - Full trading begins December 10 - Users can prepare by visiting [Kraken's LAVA page](https://app.kraken.com/JDNW/LAVA) - Follows Kraken's recent pattern of listing infrastructure tokens This listing expands access to cross-chain data infrastructure tokens for retail traders.

**Kraken announced a strategic partnership with Deutsche Börse Group** to integrate traditional finance (TradFi) with cryptocurrency markets. **Phase One: FX Trading** - Partnership begins with foreign exchange trading through Deutsche Börse's 360T platform - Aims to provide seamless access between traditional and digital asset markets **Future Expansion Plans:** - Derivatives trading integration - Enhanced liquidity solutions - Kraken Embed services - xStocks product offerings **Key Impact:** *Institutional access to crypto markets receives significant upgrade* through this collaboration with one of Europe's largest exchange operators. The partnership represents a major step toward mainstream adoption, allowing traditional financial institutions to access crypto services through established infrastructure. [Read full announcement](https://blog.kraken.com/news/deutsche-borse-strategic-partnership)

**Walrus Protocol ($WAL) now available to US and Canadian users** on Kraken exchange. The decentralized storage protocol allows users to **store large datasets on-chain**, expanding access to blockchain-based data storage solutions. - Available through [Kraken's platform](https://app.kraken.com/JDNW/WAL) - Targets big data storage needs - Previously listed on Crypto.com with fiat currency support This expansion brings decentralized storage capabilities to North American markets, offering an alternative to traditional cloud storage services.