Wells Fargo eyes crypto liquidity deal with Kraken’s parent

6.6 Banking

Oct 8, 2026

Wells Fargo is negotiating with Payward, Kraken’s parent, to secure crypto trading liquidity. Talks are ongoing, with no deal finalized, reflecting banks’ growing interest in digital asset partnerships.

Wells Fargo is in ongoing negotiations with Payward, the parent company of crypto exchange Kraken, to secure liquidity for digital asset trading, including Bitcoin. Multiple sources familiar with the matter have confirmed the discussions, but no finalized agreement has been reached, and both companies have declined to comment publicly. If successful, the partnership would see Payward supplying liquidity for Wells Fargo’s crypto trading operations. This move reflects a broader trend of major banks collaborating with established crypto firms to enhance their digital asset trading capabilities. Such arrangements allow banks to access deeper liquidity pools and advanced trading infrastructure, which are crucial for serving institutional and high-net-worth clients. The talks highlight the increasing integration of traditional financial institutions with the crypto sector as they adapt to evolving market dynamics.