Kraken Launches USD-Settled BTC, ETH Options, Targeting Retail Gap in $311B Derivatives Boom
Updated
Updated · CoinDesk · Jul 17
Kraken Launches USD-Settled BTC, ETH Options, Targeting Retail Gap in $311B Derivatives Boom
3 articles · Updated · CoinDesk · Jul 17
Summary
Kraken’s new Bitcoin and Ether options went live on Kraken Pro via request-for-quote, initially for eligible international clients outside Europe, North America and Australia, with Europe slated next.
USD-settled, European-style contracts are designed to simplify options trading by keeping premiums, P&L and settlement in dollars and avoiding crypto collateral management that has deterred retail users.
Kraken also folded the product into its unified spot-and-futures account, with portfolio margin enabled by default and collateral accepted in more than 30 currencies.
The exchange plans to add a public order book, more assets and wider geographic access as it tries to expand crypto options adoption beyond a market still dominated by Deribit, CME Group and Binance.
The launch comes as centralized exchange activity rebounds—June spot volume rose 15.3% to $1.11 trillion and RWA perpetuals hit a record $311 billion—underscoring broader momentum in crypto derivatives.