Kraken, a major digital asset exchange, announced that it has raised USD 800 million across two tranches to accelerate its push into regulated, multi-asset financial infrastructure. The round includes a diverse group of institutional investors and a strategic investment from Citadel Securities. The company positions this raise as a way to scale its global presence and expand well beyond its origins as a crypto exchange.

A closer look at the funding round

The first tranche features participation from Jane Street, DRW Venture Capital, HSG, Oppenheimer Alternative Investment Management and Tribe Capital. Kraken also highlights a meaningful contribution from co CEO Arjun Sethi’s family office. The second tranche adds a USD 200 million investment from Citadel Securities at a USD 20 billion valuation.

Kraken reports USD 1.5 billion in revenue for 2024 and says it surpassed that figure within the first three quarters of 2025. Until now the company had raised only around USD 27 million in primary capital. The scale of the new round marks a significant shift toward long term expansion rather than incremental growth.

What Kraken plans to build next

Kraken describes its technology stack as vertically integrated across matching, custody, clearing, settlement, market data and wallet services. The company intends to use the new capital to deepen its regulated footprint and bring its services to more regions, with Latin America, Asia Pacific and EMEA referenced as priorities.

The roadmap also points toward a broader product suite. Kraken intends to expand services across tokenised assets, equities, staking, payments and more advanced institutional tools. The partnership with Citadel Securities is positioned as a source of liquidity provision, risk management expertise and traditional market structure insights.

Why this matters for digital finance

This raise signals continued movement toward institutional grade digital asset infrastructure. Investors appear to be backing models that integrate regulatory readiness, infrastructure ownership and global scalability. The size of the round also shows that Kraken expects future growth to depend on regulated access to more asset classes, not only crypto assets.

For fintech builders, this development emphasises the importance of credible infrastructure, strong regulatory foundations and partnerships that bridge the gap between new digital markets and long standing financial practices.

Key takeaways for fintech startups

• Capital efficient execution still matters. Kraken scaled revenue with very little external funding prior to this round.
  
  
• Owning critical infrastructure makes it easier to introduce new asset classes and maintain service reliability.
  
  
• Collaborating with established financial players can accelerate liquidity access and institutional trust.
  
  
• Global expansion requires significant capital and a strong regulatory strategy.
  
  
• Investor interest continues to shift toward regulated digital asset infrastructure rather than purely speculative products.

If your fintech wants to navigate strategy, regulation or investor readiness in the digital asset space, Your Fintech Story can help shape a plan that supports long term growth. Get in touch.

Saudi Arabia is shaping a fintech landscape that grows quickly yet still feels coordinated. SAMA Governor Ayman Al Sayari recently outlined how the Kingdom plans to keep that momentum going, and the picture is clear. Policy, infrastructure and regulation are all being tightened in ways that support long term scale.

Fast growth with real depth

The fintech sector has expanded from 82 active firms in 2022 to 281 by August 2025. Investment has passed the equivalent of about 2.4 billion US dollars. These numbers reflect more than enthusiasm. They show that the framework built under Vision 2030 is doing what it was designed to do. Startups can enter the market, test ideas through formal channels and then graduate into fully licensed operations.

Daily behaviour also confirms how far things have moved. In 2024, 79 percent of all retail payments in Saudi Arabia were electronic. Total digital payment volumes rose from 10.8 billion transactions in 2023 to 12.6 billion in 2024. It is rare to see a national shift toward cashless payments happen this quickly and with this level of adoption.

A stronger foundation for digital finance

SAMA is modernising core financial infrastructure so it can handle higher volumes and more complex services. This includes improvements to national payment rails, faster clearing for checks and upgrades that support real time transactions. Licensing processes have become more structured through dedicated digital portals. The goal is to lower friction for new entrants while maintaining strong oversight.

International cooperation is another priority. The Kingdom positions itself as a link between Middle East, Africa and Asia. Regulators are engaging with global peers so that cross border fintech services can scale without adding unnecessary risk. It is a practical approach that blends openness with stability.

Opportunities for fintech founders

Saudi Arabia offers clear strengths. The population is young and comfortable with digital services. The government continues to align national programs with fintech objectives. Infrastructure is improving and the market shows real appetite for new financial products. Startups that understand local expectations and the regulatory landscape stand a better chance of success.

A note on emerging founder talent

The ecosystem is also attracting young entrepreneurs. One example often mentioned in local media is Abdullah Najashi, a healthcare focused fintech founder. His work highlights how fintech in Saudi Arabia is broadening beyond payments and lending. Public information on specific age related records is limited, so the safest statement is that he is part of a younger wave of founders building specialised financial services.

Key takeaways for fintech startups

Here is what matters most for companies considering Saudi Arabia:

• The market is growing quickly and supported by strong policy guidance.
  
  
• Digital payments already dominate, which makes the environment easier for product adoption.
  
  
• Regulatory engagement is structured and transparent, so early conversations help.
  
  
• The country is building a regional role that can open paths into neighbouring markets.
  
  
• Sectors like healthcare and insurance show room for specialised fintech plays.

If you want to explore opportunities or design a focused market entry plan, Your Fintech Story can help you navigate strategy, partnerships and positioning. Reach out.

Bernard Marr, a well known futurist and bestselling author with over twenty books, recently published his take on the seven biggest banking and fintech trends shaping 2026. His work is widely followed in the industry, and his predictions usually land close to reality. The list sets a clear direction for where financial services are heading next year.

1. AI Agents in Banking and Finance

Marr highlights AI agents as the biggest force shaping 2026. These systems perform multi step tasks with minimal human involvement, taking over everything from reconciliation to fraud detection. They also handle customer facing work, acting as personal finance helpers that compare products and optimize portfolios on demand.

2. The Customer Experience Revolution

Customer experience is now the main battleground for loyalty. Marr notes that switching providers is easier than ever, so banks are personalizing every interaction using AI and predictive analytics. The goal is to remove friction and solve issues before customers notice them.

3. Bridging the Fintech Skills Gap

Marr stresses that the talent shortage is slowing progress. Financial institutions cannot scale AI or blockchain without enough skilled people. Data science, cybersecurity and engineering roles remain difficult to fill, so many organizations will invest heavily in training and upskilling.

4. Tokenized Assets

Tokenization continues to accelerate. Real estate, commodities, art and other assets are increasingly traded as blockchain based tokens. Marr points out that tokenized markets grew rapidly in recent years, and 2026 will see more investors using these instruments for diversification and faster settlement.

5. Quantum Finance Moves Forward

Quantum computing is moving from experiments into real financial workflows. Marr describes how major banks already use quantum systems for tasks like risk modeling and optimization. The next phase is hybrid setups where classic computing handles routine work while quantum engines tackle the most complex calculations.

6. Stablecoins Enter the Mainstream

Stablecoins, which are tied to fiat currencies, gained significant momentum after new regulation in the United States. Marr highlights that large institutions, including Bank of America and Citibank, have begun exploring stablecoin projects. The trend points toward smoother cross border payments and more institutional adoption.

7. Building Resilience in Uncertain Times

The final trend focuses on resilience. Marr explains that global uncertainty and regulatory shifts will push banks to strengthen systems and simplify processes. Cross border payment innovation and risk management improvements will be central themes as institutions prepare for fast changing market conditions.

The seven trends outline a financial sector shaped by automation, stronger infrastructure and new digital asset classes. Marr’s message is clear. The winners in 2026 will be the institutions that stay agile, invest in technology and keep the customer at the center of their strategy.

Contact us if you need help with growing your fintech.