Trade Crypto Prices Without Holding Tokens

TLDR:

Kraken Perps allows users to trade crypto prices without owning assets, opening access to perpetual futures for retail traders.
Traders can go long or short on crypto markets directly from the app, with no expiry date on contracts.
USD collateral support is available at launch, with more assets expected to be added for trading soon.
Risk controls like stop-loss orders and educational resources aim to help users trade with confidence and manage exposure.

Kraken has made perpetual futures easier to use. The exchange rolled out a new feature called Kraken Perps, aiming to simplify how traders take positions on where crypto prices might go next. 

This feature is now available through the Kraken app for eligible users in selected regions. It is designed to be straightforward, letting users act on their market views without buying the underlying asset. 

The move represents an effort to make derivatives trading accessible to a broader audience.

A Simpler Way to Trade Crypto Prices

According to Kraken’s official blog post, Kraken Perps brings perpetual futures into a single, streamlined experience. The tool is built for traders who want to bet on price direction without holding the token itself.

Users can choose to go long if they expect a price increase or go short if they predict a decline. This flexibility allows traders to profit in both rising and falling markets. There is no expiry date, so positions can stay open as long as the user chooses.

Funding positions requires collateral, with USD supported at launch. More collateral options are expected in the coming months as the platform expands. Kraken said users can scale their positions if their market view strengthens or trim them if sentiment changes.

The exchange emphasized that this release differs from Kraken Pro, which already supports perpetuals but caters to advanced traders. Kraken Perps focuses on simplicity, aiming to make the experience less intimidating for retail users.

Risk Tools and Education Built In

Kraken also highlighted the safety measures built into the new product. Stop-loss orders let users manage risk by closing trades automatically if the market moves against them.

The company said it is rolling out educational resources to teach users how perpetual contracts work. This includes guidance on managing leverage and position sizing.

Kraken Perps is designed to help investors use derivatives strategically, not just for short-term speculation. The exchange said it will keep refining the product and add more features over time.

The rollout underlines a push to make derivatives a standard part of crypto trading. Kraken said it wants to provide the tools for users to express their market outlook while keeping risks controlled.