Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has acquired US futures platform NinjaTrader for $1.50 billion. With this acquisition, Kraken can now offer cryptocurrency futures and derivatives in the US as NinjaTrader is a CFTC-licensed platform. Additionally, Kraken's UK, European Union and Australian licenses will enable NinjaTrader to expand in these regions. Arjun Sethi, Kraken's co-chief executive, said: "This transaction is the first step towards our vision of an institutional trading platform where any asset can be traded at any time." Earlier in the day, the Wall Street Journal first reported the news, citing people familiar with the matter.