Wells Fargo discusses crypto trading liquidity partnership with Kraken parent Payward

United States banking giant Wells Fargo is in talks with Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, regarding a deal for Payward to provide cryptocurrency trading liquidity. CoinDesk reported that two sources with direct knowledge of the private matter revealed the ongoing discussions. CoinGape, Crypto Briefing, and Yahoo Finance also reported that the parties are in negotiations over digital asset execution. [1][4][5][6]

Under the proposed agreement, Wyoming-based Payward would supply liquidity for trading in digital assets to support Wells Fargo. Cryptocurrency exchanges frequently act as liquidity portals for institutional buyers and traditional banks by delivering access to trading venues and order execution capabilities. [1]

Wells Fargo operates across 35 countries, serves over 70 million customers, and holds approximately $2.0 trillion in assets as of mid-2025. The Financial Stability Board classifies the firm as a systemically important financial institution. Payward subsidiary Kraken was established in 2011 and became the first cryptocurrency business to secure a banking charter. [7][9][10]

The potential deal illustrates the continuing push by major American lenders to secure deep liquidity pools for digital asset trading as traditional institutions build out their cryptocurrency infrastructure. [1][4]