SEPTEMBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK8NEWSROOMKraken has acquired the assets and technology of Capitalise.ai, a Tel Aviv-based company specializing in natural-language, no-code trading automation.Founded in 2015, Capitalise.ai enables traders to create and execute strategies across multiple asset classes--including equities, cryptocurrencies, FX, futures, and options--simply by typing commands in plain text. As part of the deal, Capitalise.ai's co-founders and core engineering team will join Kraken Pro, with integration of its technology expected later in 2025. This move strengthens Kraken's position as it expands beyond being a traditional crypto exchange into a comprehensive multi-asset financial services provider.The acquisition follows Kraken's $1.5 billion purchase of NinjaTrader, which merged crypto with U.S. futures trading and added two million traders to its ecosystem. This consolidation trend mirrors strategies by other leading exchanges, such as Binance's acquisition of WazirX to enter India's billion-user market.Capitalise.ai's technology underscores a broader industry shift: the democratization of algorithmic trading. Once reserved for hedge funds and high-frequency trading firms, algorithmic strategies are now becoming accessible to retail traders without coding skills or expensive infrastructure.This shift is supported by explosive market growth--the global algorithmic trading market, valued at $21.06 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $42.99 billion by 2030, growing at a 12.9 percent CAGR.By integrating AI automation, cross-asset trading, and regulatory compliance, exchanges like Kraken are moving away from competing solely on fees and instead building technology-driven ecosystems that empower both institutional and retail investors. Apple is set to launch the iPhone 17 in South Korea as part of its first-wave global release, continuing the strategy it adopted with the iPhone 16 last year.Pre-orders will open on September 12, with official sales starting September 19. The move underscores Apple's ambition to challenge Samsung's 82 percent market dominance in its home market, according to Counterpoint Research. The iPhone 17 lineup includes the iPhone 17 Air, just 5.5 millimeters thick, making it the slimmest iPhone ever. Apple has also introduced localized features for Korean users, such as Korean-language support in Apple Intelligence and Find My, strengthening its appeal to local consumers.Pricing, however, may be a hurdle. Apple is expected to raise iPhone 17 prices due to tariffs, potentially reducing overall sales volumes compared to last year. Yet Korea's inclusion in the first-wave launch after a 15-year gap signals the market's strategic value.Industry experts note that Korean consumers show low brand loyalty, with 40 percent willing to switch brands compared to a global average of 18 percent, making it a critical testbed for new devices.Apple's earlier decision to prioritize Korea paid off, as it gained 4 percentage points in market share following the iPhone 16's early release. The company has also invested heavily in its Korean retail footprint, opening its largest store in Myeongdong (2022) and a flagship in Gangnam (2023). This retail-first approach demonstrates Apple's long-term commitment to Korea, not just as a sales market but as a strategic launch hub with global implications. KRAKEN ACQUIRES CAPITALISE.AI TO BOOST NO-CODE TRADINGAPPLE IPHONE 17 LAUNCHES IN KOREA TO RIVAL SAMSUNG· Kraken acquires Capitalise.ai's tech and team for Kraken Pro· No-code platform enables retail traders to build algorithmic strategies· Acquisition strengthens Kraken's multi-asset financial services push· Apple to launch iPhone 17 in Korea on Sept 19, with pre-orders Sept 12· Slimmest-ever iPhone 17 Air (5.5mm) debuts with Korean-focused features· Apple targets Samsung's 82 percent market share in a key "testbed" market
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