Payward Global Solutions

Payward Global Solutions is the Irish entity within the Payward, Inc. group, the parent company behind the Kraken cryptocurrency exchange. It is registered in Ireland and is described as a crypto asset service provider in the European Union. The entity exists to support Kraken's regulated European operations, allowing the group to offer crypto exchange and related services under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework and other applicable local rules. Kraken itself is one of the world's longest-running and largest cryptocurrency platforms, founded in 2011 and trusted by millions of users. Through Kraken, customers can trade hundreds of cryptocurrencies, access spot and margin markets, futures, and a growing suite of traditional financial products including stocks and ETFs. The platform reports over $2 trillion in total transaction volume and serves more than 13 million people globally. Its product range includes the flagship Kraken exchange, Kraken Pro for active traders, Kraken Wallet for self-custody, and a global money app for spending and transfers. Payward Global Solutions fits into this structure as a regulated EU-facing subsidiary. While the Kraken brand is the consumer-facing name, Payward Global Solutions is the legal entity that holds or supports authorisations required to operate in Ireland and the wider European Union. This mirrors a common pattern among global crypto firms, which establish locally incorporated and licensed entities to comply with regional regulatory regimes while maintaining a single global brand. The entity is not separately listed on a stock exchange and is privately held within the Payward group. Its activities are tied to Kraken's broader mission of providing secure access to crypto and traditional markets, with a strong emphasis on security, compliance, and product breadth. As European regulation of crypto assets matures, Payward Global Solutions is likely to remain a key vehicle for Kraken's EU market access and expansion.

Payward Global Solutions is part of the Payward, Inc. corporate group, which operates the Kraken cryptocurrency exchange. Kraken was founded in 2011 and has since grown into one of the largest and most established crypto platforms in the world. The group's parent, Payward, Inc., has created various subsidiaries to handle different functions and regulatory jurisdictions. Payward Global Solutions is the Irish entity, established to serve as a crypto asset service provider in the European Union. The creation of EU-focused entities like Payward Global Solutions reflects the evolving regulatory landscape for crypto assets in Europe. With the introduction of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, crypto firms seeking to serve EU customers are required to obtain authorisation in a member state. Ireland has become a hub for technology and financial services firms, and Payward Global Solutions is registered there to support Kraken's compliance and market access across the EU. While the exact founding date of Payward Global Solutions is not publicly specified in the available evidence, its existence is tied to Kraken's broader European expansion. Kraken has long served European customers and has sought to operate within local regulatory frameworks. The entity allows the group to offer services such as crypto trading, custody, and related financial products under EU rules. Kraken's global platform, which Payward Global Solutions supports in the EU, includes a wide range of products: spot and margin trading, futures, stocks and ETFs, a self-custody wallet, and a global money app. The platform reports over $2 trillion in total transaction volume and more than 13 million users. Its security practices and product depth have earned recognition, including being voted the best crypto exchange in 2025 by Forbes. As the crypto industry matures, Payward Global Solutions is positioned to play a key role in Kraken's European strategy, ensuring that the group can continue to provide regulated services to EU customers while maintaining the global Kraken brand.

• Kraken founded, the platform ultimately operated by the Payward group.

• Payward Global Solutions registered in Ireland as a crypto asset service provider in the EU.

Regulated EU crypto asset service provider within the Kraken group.

• Kraken exchange

  Spot and margin trading across 600+ crypto pairs and 11,000+ stocks and ETFs.

• Kraken Pro

  Advanced trading platform for active traders with leverage, deep liquidity, and fast execution.

• Kraken Wallet

  Self-custody wallet for securing crypto and accessing DeFi.

• Global money app

  Spend crypto or cash at 80M+ merchants, earn APY, and send money globally.

1. 1Kraken | Own the Power of Your Money — Crypto, Stocks & morekraken.com
2. 2Learn Crypto: Guides, Articles & Videos | Krakenkraken.com
3. 3Why Kraken? | The Best Crypto Exchangekraken.com
4. 4Security 101 | Crypto Security Video Guides | Krakenkraken.com
5. 5Payward Global Solutionswikidata.org