NinjaTrader Group has appointed Brian Weis to the newly created position of chief innovation and AI officer, signalling strategic priorities following Kraken’s $1.5 billion acquisition completed in May 2025. Weis moves from chief product officer to lead development in AI agents, Model Context Protocol infrastructure, and prediction markets. Stephen Yi, formerly of digital consultancy Codal and Jump Trading, fills the vacated product role.
The appointment reflects NinjaTrader’s pivot toward regulated prediction markets infrastructure. In March, the firm launched NinjaTrader Connect, a business-to-business API platform enabling brokers and fintech companies to integrate regulated futures and prediction markets. This positions the Chicago-based futures broker to capitalise on growing institutional interest in event contracts, with prediction market trading volumes reaching $44 billion in 2025.
NinjaTrader’s CFTC registration and NFA membership provide significant competitive advantages over rivals entering the space. Competitors including Devexperts and Tradeweb have introduced prediction market tools, while prime brokers Clear Street and Marex are exploring clearing services for hedge funds seeking event contract exposure. However, NinjaTrader’s existing regulatory framework enables faster market entry than most technology providers could achieve independently.
For retail and institutional brokers, the development underscores the convergence of AI infrastructure and prediction market access as product differentiators. Firms considering white-label or API-based event contract offerings must evaluate whether to pursue direct CFTC authorisation or partner with licensed intermediaries like NinjaTrader to accelerate time to market.
FXnCO Insight
Regulated prediction market infrastructure is rapidly becoming table stakes for brokers serving digitally native traders, and the window for competitive positioning through early partnerships may close faster than traditional licensing timelines allow.
Source: Finance Magnates