Kraken parent Payward agrees to buy Saldo Bank for an EU banking license

Crypto exchange Kraken’s parent company Payward has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Lithuania-licensed Saldo Bank. The deal would give it a European Union banking license and permit it to offer deposits, loans and euro payments across five markets. Payward announced the deal on Oct. 14, 2026. It is purchasing Saldo Finance Oy, the Finnish holding company that owns Saldo Bank UAB. The transaction is still subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in 2027. Payward would reportedly become the first crypto company to own a European lender.

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