What changed
Kraken's announcement on August 18, 2026 says leverage was raised across Kraken Prop. Bitcoin and Nasdaq 100 moved from 5x to up to 10x with a $1M notional cap. The S&P 500 moved to up to 10x and its cap rose from $1M to $2M, so Kraken says its buying power doubles at every account size. Kraken also lists SOL at up to 5x and HYPE at up to 3x.
Higher leverage means the same position needs less margin, or the same margin allows a larger position. Kraken's own illustration: a $1M Bitcoin position that used to need $200K of account margin now needs $100K. That is an issuer example, not a promise that every account can open that size. A position of the same size makes or loses the same dollars as before. A larger position, which the new limits allow, makes potential losses larger too, and the maximum drawdown limit still applies.
| Before | After | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin: up to 5x | Bitcoin: up to 10x, $1M notional cap | Announced August 18, 2026 |
| Nasdaq 100: up to 5x | Nasdaq 100: up to 10x, $1M notional cap | Announced August 18, 2026 |
| S&P 500: lower leverage and a $1M cap | S&P 500: up to 10x and a $2M cap (both doubled) | Announced August 18, 2026 |
| Kraken's example: $200K margin for a $1M Bitcoin position | Kraken's example: $100K margin for the same position | Announced August 18, 2026 |
Who it affected
Kraken says existing positions keep the leverage they were opened at until closed, open evaluations continue under their original terms, and nothing needs to change for current account holders. The new limits matter most to traders of Bitcoin, Nasdaq 100 and the S&P 500.
Kraken Prop is signals-based and simulated: you do not hold real positions, stated limits are simulated, and payouts are real based on simulated performance. Kraken also calls the service unregulated.
Where it stands now (October 2026)
Kraken's blog says evaluation pricing, drawdown rules, the 80 to 90% profit split, payouts typically processed within 24 hours, and the absence of consistency rules and time limits did not change, and that the limits are under ongoing review and subject to change.
When we opened the Kraken Prop page on October 26, 2026, its wallet plan cards showed leverage of up to 5x for every plan we saw. That conflicts with the blog. We could not tell whether the cards are a generic summary or out of date, so we cannot confirm that the 10x limits are the current terms. Check the maximum leverage for your market on Kraken's live market list before you buy. Our Kraken Prop page lists every plan we track.
Frequently asked questions
When did Kraken announce higher Kraken Prop leverage?
Kraken's blog post is dated August 18, 2026. It describes Bitcoin, Nasdaq 100 and the S&P 500 moving to up to 10x.
Does higher leverage mean bigger wins or losses?
A position of the same size makes or loses the same dollars. Higher leverage lets you open a larger position on the same margin, which makes potential losses larger if you use it.
Is 10x the current limit?
We could not confirm it. The August 18 post says 10x, but the plan cards we checked on October 26, 2026 showed up to 5x. Check the live market list.
Prop trading carries a real risk of losing every fee you pay. This article is general information, not financial advice. Always read the firm's own rules before you buy.