Akuna Capital LLC

To provide vital liquidity to global markets through rapid innovation, cutting-edge technology, and data-driven solutions.

Founded in 2011, Akuna Capital is a proprietary trading firm that specializes in options market making across global exchanges. The firm provides liquidity by continuously quoting competitive bid and offer prices on options contracts, trading with its own capital rather than client funds. Trading operations span indices, commodities, currencies, treasuries, and cryptocurrencies on major exchanges including CBOE, CME, ICE, and HKEX. What sets Akuna apart is its fully integrated approach — the firm designs and builds its own low-latency trading systems, mathematical models, and risk management infrastructure rather than relying on third-party platforms. With offices in Chicago, Sydney, Shanghai, Singapore, and London, Akuna operates through four core departments: Technology, Trading, Quant, and Operations, all working closely together on mission-critical systems.

Products

The core business is options market making — providing continuous liquidity by quoting competitive buy and sell prices on derivatives exchanges worldwide. Akuna generates revenue by capturing bid-ask spreads while managing risk through sophisticated hedging strategies rather than taking directional market bets. All trading systems, mathematical models, and risk management tools are built in-house to maintain speed and control. Beyond trading, Akuna offers 'Options 101,' a free educational platform that teaches options theory and market mechanics to aspiring finance professionals.

Funding

Akuna Capital operates as a bootstrapped proprietary trading firm with no external investors or funding rounds. The company trades exclusively with its own capital and has grown organically since 2011, expanding from Chicago to five global offices. Employee-shareholders can gain meaningful ownership stakes based on performance. While Akuna doesn't seek external funding for operations, the firm actively invests in fintech and crypto startups, having made approximately 13 investments in companies like BlockFi, Options AI, and Optimal Market Technologies.

Recent news

In January 2026, it was announced that Scott Johnston, who had been serving as Akuna Capital's Chief Operating Officer since 2025, would be leaving the firm to become the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cboe Global Markets, effective March 2026.

Technology

Built around modern C++ (C++11 through C++20) for performance-critical trading systems, with heavy use of template metaprogramming and STL. Python handles scripting, automation, and data analysis alongside the core C++ infrastructure. All systems run on high-performance Linux environments with expertise required in distributed systems, multi-threaded programming, and complex data structures. Development follows Agile methodologies with emphasis on code reviews and cross-functional collaboration. Additional technologies include React and TypeScript for internal tools, Kubernetes for orchestration, Kafka for data streaming, and Apache Spark for large-scale data processing.

Benefits

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with employer subsidies, plus life and disability coverage. Retirement benefits include a 401(k) with 50% company match on the first 6% of salary. Time off includes 20-25 vacation days, flexible sick leave, 12 weeks maternity leave, and 10 days paternity leave. Daily perks feature free breakfast and catered lunch, fully stocked kitchens with an in-house barista, on-site gym, and mother's room. Professional development includes tuition reimbursement, conference attendance, and training through 'Akuna University.' The culture emphasizes flat hierarchy, frequent social events, and opportunities for high performers to become employee-shareholders.