TL;DR
- Kraken Cyprus was one of seven international companies honored at the 14th Invest Cyprus International Investment Awards.
- Alexia Theodorou, Kraken’s Derivatives Director and General Manager of Kraken Cyprus, accepted the honor on stage from Cyprus’s Minister of Interior, Constantinos Ioannou.
- Kraken Cyprus is home to Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited, the CySEC-regulated entity behind Kraken’s MiFID investment products license.
- That license now powers multi-collateral perpetual futures, traditional futures, xStocks, and equities trading across the EEA.
A night of recognition in Nicosia
The July awards ceremony took place under the auspices of Cyprus’ President, Nikos Christodoulides. The invitation-only event is organized each year by Invest Cyprus, the country’s official investment promotion agency, hosted by GOLD Magazine and presented by PwC Cyprus.
On stage to accept the honor on Kraken’s behalf was Alexia Theodorou, Kraken’s Derivatives Director and General Manager of Kraken Cyprus. The award was presented to Alexia by Cyprus’s Minister of Interior, Constantinos Ioannou, and Georgia Pitta, CFO of ECOMMBX.
Kraken was recognized alongside six other honorees this year: Hartmann Group, Accor, SayGames, Reconiq Software Ltd. (a member of the Plath Group), Coral S.A. (Coral Cyprus), and Premium Access Cyprus, each honored for choosing Cyprus as a base for growth and long-term investment.
Why Kraken chose Cyprus
Payward, Kraken’s parent company, established operations in Cyprus in 2025. The decision reflected the country’s strong regulatory framework, its internationally minded workforce, and its position as a gateway to Europe’s financial markets.
Speaking after the ceremony, Alexia reflected on Kraken’s experience since setting up in Cyprus: “Beyond practical considerations we found genuine institutional appetite from the government.” She added that the relevant authorities have been engaged and professional throughout the process, which has further reinforced Kraken’s confidence in its decision to invest in the country.
Looking ahead, Alexia emphasized Kraken Cyprus’s commitment to deepening its presence in the local market and building long-term roots on the island.
Kraken’s MiFID entity in Cyprus
Kraken Cyprus is home to Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited, the entity that holds Kraken’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) license, regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Kraken secured the (MiFID II) license in February 2025 through the acquisition of a licensed Cypriot investment firm, allowing it to offer regulated derivatives products to advanced and professional traders across the EEA.
That license is already translating into product. On November 3, 2025, Kraken opened crypto collateral for derivatives trading to clients across the EEA, letting Kraken Pro users in Europe post BTC, ETH, and select stablecoins, instead of only fiat, to margin their futures positions.
A growing presence across Europe
Founded in 2011, Kraken has grown over the past 15 years into a full-spectrum financial services business serving millions of retail and institutional clients across more than 190 countries, with products spanning spot and derivatives trading, regulated custody services, and institutional-grade infrastructure. The Cyprus recognition, and the MiFID license behind it, are part of that broader growth story across Europe.
About the Invest Cyprus International Investment Awards
Now in its 14th year, the Invest Cyprus International Investment Awards honor international companies that have chosen Cyprus as a base for growth and made a meaningful contribution to the country’s economy.
This year’s ceremony was supported by Eurobank as Elite Sponsor, ECOMMBX as Gold Sponsor, Cyta Business as Strategic Partner, and the Lanitis Group as Legacy Partner. Learn more about Invest Cyprus at investcyprus.org.cy.
Investment services, ancillary services and investment activities (the “Services”) in relation to financial instruments are provided and carried out by Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited (ex I.F. Greenfields Wealth Ltd) (“PEDSL-CY”). PEDSL-CY is authorised and approved by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) for the provision of the Services with licence number 342/17. PEDSL-CY is registered in Cyprus with registered number HE 356603 and registered office at Athalassas, 62, MEZZANINE, Strovolos 2012, Nicosia, Cyprus. See Risk Disclosures here.
These materials are for general information purposes only and are not investment or financial product advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell financial instruments or to engage in any specific trading strategy. The unpredictable nature of the financial markets can lead to loss of funds. Tax may be payable on any return and/or on any increase in the value of your investment and you should seek independent advice on your taxation position. Geographic restrictions may apply. See Risk Disclosures here.