Wells Fargo discusses crypto liquidity with Payward

Wells Fargo is reportedly in discussions with Payward, the parent company of the Kraken cryptocurrency exchange, regarding a crypto-trading-liquidity arrangement. Such a partnership would allow the bank to access digital-asset markets and provide liquidity for clients—including institutions and wealthy individuals—without the need to operate its own exchange or build a complete trading system.

Separately, Payward reported significant growth in its user base and financial reach. As of June 30, 2026, Kraken’s funded accounts reached 6.6 million, a 42% increase from the previous year. The company reported $508 million in adjusted revenue for the second quarter, representing a 17% year-over-year increase, with $40 billion in assets on its platform.

Payward is actively expanding its services beyond core spot-crypto trading into broader financial infrastructure. This strategy includes the acquisition of futures platform NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion and derivatives exchange Bitnomial for $550 million. The company now offers services in trading, banking, asset management, and B2B infrastructure across more than 190 countries.