TL;DR
- Kraken Cyprus was one of seven international companies honored at the 14th Invest Cyprus International Investment Awards.
- Alexia ThéodorouDirector of Kraken Derivatives and Managing Director of Kraken Cyprus, accepted the honor on stage from the Minister of the Interior of Cyprus, Constantinos Ioannou.
- Kraken Cyprus is the home of Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limitedthe CySEC-regulated entity behind Kraken MiFID investment product license.
- This license now authorizes multi-collateralized perpetual futures, traditional futures, xStocks and stocks to trade across the EEA.
A night of recognition in Nicosia
The awards ceremony in July took place under the auspices of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. The invitation-only event is organized annually by Invest Cyprus, the country’s official investment promotion agency, organized by GOLD Magazine and presented by PwC Cyprus.
Alexia Theodorou, Kraken Merchandise Director and Managing Director of Kraken Cyprus, was on stage to accept the honor on behalf of Kraken. The award was presented to Alexia by the Cypriot Minister of Interior, Constantinos Ioannou, and by Georgia Pitta, Financial Director of ECOMMBX.
Kraken was recognized alongside six other winners this year: Hartmann Group, Accor, SayGames, Reconiq Software Ltd. (member of the Plath Group), Coral SA (Coral Cyprus) and Premium Access Cyprus, each honored for choosing Cyprus as a base for long-term growth and investment.
Why Kraken chose Cyprus
Payward, Kraken’s parent company, established its operations in Cyprus in 2025. The decision reflects the country’s strong regulatory framework, internationally focused workforce and gateway position to European financial markets.
Speaking after the ceremony, Alexia reflected on Kraken’s experience since moving to Cyprus: “Beyond practical considerations, we have seen a real institutional appetite from the government. » She added that the relevant authorities were committed and professional throughout the process, which further strengthened Kraken’s confidence in its decision to invest in the country.
Looking ahead, Alexia highlighted Kraken Cyprus’ 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 obtained the license (MiFID II) in February 2025 through the acquisition of a licensed Cypriot investment company, enabling it to offer regulated derivatives products to advanced and professional traders throughout the EEA.
This license is already translated into a product. On November 3, 2025, Kraken opened crypto collateral for derivatives trading to customers in the EEA, allowing Kraken Pro users in Europe to post BTC, ETH, and select stablecoins, instead of just fiat, to hedge their futures positions.
A growing presence across Europe
Founded in 2011, Kraken has grown over the past 15 years to become a full-spectrum financial services company serving millions of retail and institutional clients in more than 190 countries, with products spanning spot and derivatives trading, regulated custody services and institutional-grade infrastructure. The recognition of Cyprus and the MiFID license that underpins it are part of this broader growth story across Europe.
About the Invest Cyprus International Investment Awards
The Invest Cyprus International Investment Awards, now in its 14th year, recognize international companies that have chosen Cyprus as a base for growth and have made a significant 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 Lanitis Group as Legacy Partner. Learn more about Invest Cyprus at investcyprus.org.cy.
Investment services, ancillary services and investment activities (the “Services”) relating to financial instruments are provided and executed by Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited (formerly IF Greenfields Wealth Ltd) (“PEDSL-CY”). PEDSL-CY is authorized and approved by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) for the provision of the services with license number 342/17. PEDSL-CY is registered in Cyprus under number HE 356603 and its registered office is at Athalassas, 62, MEZZANINE, Strovolos 2012, Nicosia, Cyprus. View risk information here.
These materials are intended for general information purposes only and do not constitute investment or financial product advice, nor a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments or to engage in any specific trading strategy. The unpredictable nature of financial markets can result in losses of funds. Tax may be payable on any returns and/or increases in the value of your investment and you should seek independent advice on your tax situation. Geographic restrictions may apply. View risk disclosures here.
