Kraken is integrating the INK token and Ink Layer 2 network into its core platform to enhance trading, liquidity, and DeFi utility across its global product suite.
Summary
- Kraken to integrate INK token and Ink Layer 2 into its main product suite.
- INK will support trading, liquidity, and user incentives, and be included in Kraken Drops airdrop program.
- INK is designed for network utility, not speculation, and won’t be used in governance.
- INK price surged 10% to $0.0008 after announcement.
- In recent months, Kraken launched Krak app, listed Backed’s xStocks, added U.S.-regulated derivatives trading and BTC staking, and secured MiCA license in Ireland.
- Kraken is considering IPO in Q1 2026 after SEC dropped its case in March.
Kraken has announced plans to integrate the INK token and the Ink Layer 2 network, which is part of Optimism’s Superchain ecosystem, into its core product suite. The integration will enable new use cases powered by decentralized protocols, as INK is set to become a key part of Kraken’s trading, liquidity, and incentive systems.
“The Ink Layer-2 gives the world a high throughput, low finality, EVM compatible environment that can be extended across trading and payments infrastructure. The Ink Foundation is standardizing how value moves – not just for DeFi users but for institutions, market makers and anyone operating in the digital asset space, ” said Arjun Sethi, Kraken co-CEO.
The INK token will also be included in Kraken Drops, the exchange’s airdrop rewards program for eligible users.
According to the Ink Foundation, the INK token is designed to boost network utility—supporting applications like lending and trading—rather than acting as a speculative asset. INK will not have governance functions but will instead be used to aggregate liquidity and drive engagement across Ink’s DeFi stack.
INK price surged 10%, fueled by the announcement, currently trading at $0.0008. Its market cap currently stands at $372,495, according to CoinGecko.
Recent milestones for Kraken
This announcement follows a series of major strategic moves by Kraken. In recent months, the exchange launched Krak, a global payments and remittance app, and began listing xStocks, tokenized equities issued by Backed, for 24/5 trading—including recent support on BNB Chain. Additionally, Kraken introduced regulated derivatives trading for U.S. users and added Bitcoin (BTC) staking via Babylon.
Notably, the exchange has also expanded its European presence with a MiCA license from Ireland, which allows it to scale its regulated services across all 30 European Economic Area member states.
Kraken also said it’s considering going public as early as the first quarter of 2026, following the SEC’s decision to drop its securities law case against the firm on March 3.
