Cryptocurrency exchange giant Kraken is set to significantly expand its ecosystem by fully integrating its much-anticipated INK token and Ink Layer 2 network directly into its core product suite. This strategic move, announced by Kraken on Thursday, aims to bridge the gap between traditional centralized finance (CeFi) and the innovative world of decentralized finance (DeFi), promising a new wave of on-chain use cases for its global customer base.
The integration represents a pivotal moment for Kraken, which has long been a major player in the crypto exchange space. By bringing the INK token and the underlying Ink Layer 2 technology – a scaling solution designed to enhance transaction speed and reduce costs on the blockchain – into its existing offerings, Kraken is positioning itself at the forefront of a more interconnected financial future. The company anticipates this will “unlock a new wave of use cases powered by on-chain protocols and infrastructure.”
A key component of this rollout is the inclusion of the INK token in Kraken Drops program, designed to reward eligible users with airdrops. While the Ink Foundation, the newly established entity overseeing the token’s launch, has emphasized that INK’s primary purpose is to maximize network utility rather than for speculative trading, its integration into Kraken’s robust platform is expected to significantly boost its adoption. The foundation has clarified that the token will not be used for governance decisions within the Ink Layer 2, but instead will drive liquidity aggregation and incentivize the use of various network applications, such as lending and trading protocols.
“By introducing INK and Ink-native protocols into products already trusted by millions of users, Kraken is making the leap forward to a world where CeFi and DeFi aren’t divided,” stated the Ink Foundation Board of Directors. This sentiment was echoed by Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi, who highlighted INK’s role in “aligning infrastructure for both on-chain and off-chain users” and “standardizing how value moves” across Kraken’s trading and payment systems. The initial application for INK is planned within an Aave liquidity pool on Ink, intended to create a concentrated source of liquidity and a foundational building block for Ink’s DeFi ecosystem.
The INK integration aligns with Kraken’s broader strategic vision, which has seen the company making significant strides in diversifying its offerings. Recently, Kraken launched Krak, a standalone global payments and remittances application designed to compete with established services like PayPal and Venmo. The exchange also expanded into tokenized stock trading for non-U.S. customers and made headlines with its $1,5 billion acquisition of NinjaTrader, a U.S. retail futures platform. These moves underscore Kraken’s ambition to become a comprehensive financial services provider.
The Ink network itself is a part of Optimism’s “Superchain” ecosystem, which includes other prominent Layer 2 solutions like Base (incubated by rival Coinbase), Sony, Uniswap, and World. Data from The Block indicates that Ink’s total value locked (TVL) soared past $102 million in July, a significant jump from approximately $20 million in June, following the announcement of the forthcoming INK airdrop. This surge in activity highlights the market’s enthusiasm and potential impact of the integration.
Looking ahead, Kraken has indicated its consideration for a public listing as early as the first quarter of 2026, signaling its continued growth and maturation within the evolving digital asset landscape. The integration of INK token and Ink Layer 2 is a bold step that could redefine how users interact with both centralized and decentralized financial products, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the crypto economy.
