Quick Breakdown:
- KRAKacquisition Corp filed an S-1 registration statement with the SEC to raise up to $250 million through an initial public offering on the Nasdaq.
- The special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) is sponsored by an affiliate of the major cryptocurrency exchange Kraken and plans to target digital asset infrastructure firms.
- KRAKacquisition is led by CEO Ravi Tanaku and CFO Sahil Gupta, who also serves as the leader of Strategic Initiatives at Kraken.
KRAKacquisition Corp, a newly organized special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), officially filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday, January 12, 2026. The Cayman Islands-incorporated firm aims to raise $250 million by offering 25 million units at a price of $10.00 each. Each unit will consist of one Class A ordinary share and one-fourth of one redeemable warrant, with the company seeking to list on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol “KRAQU”.
🏦 KRAKacquisition Corp, a newly formed special-purpose acquisition company sponsored by a subsidiary of @krakenfx, is planning an IPO on Nasdaq, aiming to raise $250M through a share offering. pic.twitter.com/p2ny0NTPiH
— Watcher.News (@watchernewsx) January 13, 2026
The Menlo Park-based blank check company was established specifically to facilitate mergers, asset acquisitions, or similar business combinations within the digital asset economy. While the firm has not yet identified a specific target, it intends to focus on businesses developing core infrastructure, such as payment networks, tokenization platforms, and compliance solutions. Santander is serving as the sole book-running manager for the proposed offering.
Kraken affiliate sponsors strategic acquisition vehicle
KRAKacquisition, a SPAC sponsored by a Kraken affiliate, has filed an S-1 for a $250 million Nasdaq IPO. Led by CEO Ravi Tanaku and CFO Sahil Gupta (Kraken’s Strategic Initiatives lead), the SPAC’s alignment suggests it may help Kraken integrate infrastructure providers into its platform. This launch coincides with Kraken’s own anticipated landmark IPO in the first half of 2026, which is targeting a $20 billion valuation. By using a SPAC alongside its primary listing, Kraken is diversifying its capital market strategies in a consolidating crypto market.
Resurgence of crypto SPACs and IPOs in 2026
KRAKacquisition Corp has filed an S-1 registration statement for a $250 million Nasdaq IPO, capitalizing on the 2026 rebound in the IPO and SPAC markets. This filing coincides with other major crypto firms, like BitGo and Consensys, also pursuing public listings, with BitGo aiming for a Q1 2026 debut. Analysts predict 2026 will be a “banner year” for crypto-linked equities, driven by clearer regulation and institutional interest, set against a $3.1 trillion global crypto market cap. KRAKacquisition’s backing by a major exchange affiliate positions it well in the institutionalization of digital assets.
Meanwhile, Kraken is acquiring Backed Finance AG to integrate the “xStocks” platform, bringing the issuance and 24/7 global trading of blockchain-based stocks in-house. This strategic move, ahead of Kraken’s potential IPO, aligns with the growth of regulated on-chain assets, highlighting the convergence of digital and conventional finance to create a unified trading infrastructure for stocks and ETFs.
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