Deutsche Börse announced plans to invest $200 million in Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, indicating a significant move into digital assets by the German exchange operator. This investment is pending regulatory approval and is expected to be finalized in the second quarter, resulting in a 1.5% fully diluted ownership stake in Kraken via a secondary share transaction.
This partnership follows a previous strategic alliance established on December 4, 2025, aimed at enhancing institutional access to regulated crypto products. The collaboration includes integrating Kraken-backed xStocks into Deutsche Börse’s digital asset framework, known as 360X, and is designed to foster innovation in trading, custody, and other related services.
A spokesperson from Kraken emphasized that this deal not only strengthens ties between the two firms but also aims to unify the cryptocurrency and traditional finance sectors into a cohesive structure for institutional clients. In related developments, Kraken recently submitted a draft registration statement for a proposed initial public offering, following an $800 million fundraising round that valued the company at $20 billion.