Kraken Promotes Former Pepperstone Executive Stavros Vassiliades to EU COO

Kraken has promoted Stavros Vassiliades to Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Executive Director for its European Union business, underscoring the crypto exchange's continued push into regulated financial markets across Europe.

Based in Cyprus, Vassiliades joined Kraken in 2025 after serving as Executive Director of Pepperstone EU for three years. He brings extensive experience in brokerage operations, compliance, and regulatory management, having also held senior roles at MPS Marketplace Securities and MAP Fintech.

In his expanded role, Vassiliades will oversee Kraken's European operations and regulated business activities through Payward Europe Digital Solutions, the group's Cyprus-based entity. The appointment highlights Kraken's strategy of recruiting experienced executives from the FX and CFD brokerage industry as it broadens its product offering beyond digital assets.

Kraken has been actively expanding its regulated presence in Europe following its acquisition of a Cyprus investment firm in 2024, enabling the company to offer investment services across the European Economic Area. The exchange has since expanded into crypto derivatives, futures, and multi-asset trading products, while also strengthening its operational and regulatory infrastructure.

The promotion reflects Kraken's growing focus on integrating traditional financial market expertise with its digital asset business as competition among global crypto and brokerage firms intensifies across Europe.