Kraken Pro opens BTC and ETH options to eligible EEA clients
Kraken says eligible EEA clients can trade cash-settled BTC and ETH options from their existing Derivatives account after completing a questionnaire.
Source-checked briefing: prepared from the official notice cited below and checked for source, date, duplication, and risk language. No individual editor review is claimed. Methodology
Kraken announced that BTC (XBT/USD) and ETH (ETH/USD) options are now available on Kraken Pro for eligible clients in the European Economic Area, on web and mobile, from an existing Derivatives account. The options are European-style, cash-settled and linear in USD, and trade through request for quote with up to five legs per trade. Portfolio margin is on by default and options share collateral with Futures. The source establishes one required action: clients must complete a questionnaire to unlock options. It states no account-security step and does not say users need a new wallet or account. This content is for information only and is not investment or trading advice.
On this page
- 01
Markets are BTC (XBT/USD) and ETH (ETH/USD) options, available on Kraken Pro web and mobile to eligible EEA clients.
- 02
Options are European-style, cash-settled and linear in USD, so premium, PnL and settlement are in dollars.
- 03
Trading runs through request for quote, with up to five legs per trade and time-limited quotes that are binding once accepted.
Key timeline
Kraken publishes the announcement that options are available on Kraken Pro in the EEA.
Who may be affected
- Eligible clients in EEA countries where Kraken offers Derivatives
- Existing Kraken Pro Derivatives account holders who want to trade BTC or ETH options
Impact analysis
The direct operational change is that eligible EEA Derivatives account holders can now access BTC and ETH options on Kraken Pro without a new wallet, using the same account and collateral as Futures. Access is gated by an appropriateness questionnaire, so clients who have not completed it cannot trade options until they do. Because portfolio margin is on by default and options share collateral with Futures, options positions sit within the same margin framework as existing Futures exposure. Options trade only via RFQ, so execution depends on reviewing and accepting time-limited quotes rather than on an order book. The source does not describe effects on clients outside the EEA or in EEA countries where Kraken does not offer Derivatives. This content is not investment or trading advice.
What the announcement does not say
The source does not list which EEA countries are covered, the questionnaire's contents or pass criteria, RFQ quote durations, specific margin parameters, or fee levels. It also does not state whether options are available to clients who do not already hold a Derivatives account. This content is not investment or trading advice.
Risk notes
- Kraken states options are complex and not appropriate for all investors, and that an appropriateness assessment is required before trading.
- Buyers can lose the full value of a position; sellers can lose substantially more than posted margin, potentially without limit.
- Margin requirements can change at any time, and positions may be liquidated if an account falls below its margin requirement.
- Accepted RFQ quotes are binding, and quotes are time-limited.
- Digital assets are custodied by Payward Europe Solutions Limited while options are provided by PEDSL-CY; each entity acts only within its own regulatory permissions.
- This article verifies official exchange announcements and does not constitute investment or trading advice.
This article is for information only and is not investment, legal, or tax advice. Digital assets are volatile and may result in loss of principal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a new account or wallet to trade these options?
No. The source says eligible clients use their existing Derivatives account and collateral, and do not need a new wallet.
Is there anything I must complete before trading options?
Yes. Kraken states clients must complete an appropriateness questionnaire to unlock options.
Which EEA countries are included?
The source does not disclose the list. It refers only to EEA countries where Kraken offers Derivatives.
How are options executed on Kraken Pro?
Through request for quote: clients build a trade of up to five legs, submit it, and review time-limited quotes that are binding if accepted.
Official sources
Collected material is used only for fact checking. If this page differs from the original announcement, the official page controls.
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