Kraken has launched cash-settled bitcoin and ether options, adding a new derivatives product as crypto exchanges and traditional financial firms compete for institutional trading flows. The exchange introduced European-style, USD-settled options on bitcoin and ether through Kraken Pro on Thursday. The product is initially available through request-for-quote trading and is open to eligible international clients outside Europe, North America, and Australia. Kraken plans to expand the offering into Europe at a later date. The launch places Kraken deeper into a derivatives market where futures and perpetual contracts ... (full story)