Kraken Recruits Fintech Veteran to Spearhead UK Expansion

Kraken has appointed Bivu Das as the new managing director for its UK operations. This decision is a key part of the crypto exchange’s strategic expansion plans in the UK, one of its most significant markets.

Bivu Das has two decades worth experience in commercial enterprise and fintech strategy development accumulated over two decades. He was formerly the head of operations strategy at Starling Bank.

Indeed, his appointment comes at a particularly pivotal time. The UK is currently making significant strides towards becoming a recognized global crypto hub.

Kraken Seeks Permission to Custody More Client Assets

The UK’s new crypto financial promotions and regulatory frameworks provide firms like Kraken with clarity to leverage crypto asset opportunities.

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Das will oversee Kraken’s regulatory, political, commercial relationships as the firm expands its national presence. His past experience includes co-founding a crypto start-up that provided an easy-to-use payment gateway for the digital asset ecosystem.

“Kraken has long advocated for the potential crypto assets have to transform how everyday people interact with financial services,” Das said.

Indeed, Kraken is the leading provider of cryptocurrency trading volume denominated in pounds in the UK. Furthermore, it is making significant progress in its expansion beyond direct Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrency trading.

After acquiring a London crypto firm in 2019, the exchange is seeking additional permissions to custody more client assets in the UK.

Exchange Plans to Offer Stock and ETF Trading

The appointment of Das comes following the departure of Blair Halliday, who is leaving to explore other opportunities. Halliday joined Kraken last October after previously overseeing Gemini’s UK operations. It was Halliday who saw Britain’s exit from the European Union as a turning point for the country’s crypto ambitions.

Kraken has over 275 team members in the UK. In order to expand its global presence, it plans to increase its marketing efforts in the UK later this year. This move will notably include physical advertisements in London, a key strategic location. The company also plans to offer trading in US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds to US and UK customers through a unit called Kraken Securities.

Read more: Top Crypto Exchanges and Trading Platforms in Europe

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has introduced new rules around crypto promotions aimed at protecting consumers, highlighting the evolving regulatory landscape. This includes clear investor warnings and a “cooling-off” period for potential investors to reconsider their decisions.

Kraken’s commitment to adhering to these regulatory guidelines, combined with its strategic expansion plans under Das’s leadership, marks a new phase in the company’s journey in the UK’s emerging crypto market.

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