Ink: Everything You Need To Know About Kraken's New Blockchain

What Is Kraken's New Blockchain Ink?

Ink is a Layer 2 by Kraken, and is designed to bridge centralized exchanges and DeFi and making DeFi accessible for their user base. It will be built on Optimism's OP Stack, and will be part of the Optimism Superchain network. 

Key Takeaways

• Kraken, one of the biggest centralized exchanges, is planning to roll out its own Layer 2 blockchain: Ink.
• Ink will be built on Optimism's OP Stack, and will be a part of the Optimism Superchain network, with the rollout planned for early 2025.

The crypto landscape is about to get more interesting in early 2025. Kraken, one of the biggest names in centralized exchanges, is gearing up to drop their own Layer 2 (L2) blockchain called Ink. If you're wondering why this matters – it's actually a pretty big deal for making DeFi more accessible to everyday users.

Here's what makes Ink stand out: it's not just another L2. Built on Optimism's Superchain technology, Ink is designed to be a bridge between the familiar world of centralized exchanges and the sometimes intimidating realm of DeFi. Personally, I'm most excited about how it's tackling one of crypto's biggest hurdles – making the whole "going onchain" process less daunting for newcomers by leveraging on the existing Kraken brand. 

Want specific details? The rollout is planned for early 2025, and from what we can see from the media coverage, Kraken's not just dipping their toes in – they're diving deep into making DeFi accessible for their massive user base. Here’s everything you need to know and do to maximize the full benefits of this announcement. 

Introducing Ink: Another L2 Again? 

Ink isn't just another Layer 2 joining the blockchain party. When a crypto OG like Kraken (yes, they've been around since 2011, even before Binance) decides to launch their own blockchain, you know something interesting is brewing. After all, look at Coinbase’s success with Base, they’ve made it easy for consumers to move tokens over from Coinbase without the need for seed phrases and the complexity of other wallets.

This isn't just another exchange trying to catch the L2 wave – Ink represents a major Western exchange-backed blockchain specifically designed for DeFi. While we've seen Asian exchanges like Binance and OKX dive into their own chains, Kraken's bringing something different to the table. For those who might not know, Kraken's been a cornerstone of crypto adoption since the early days, surviving multiple bear markets and maintaining one of the cleanest security records in the industry.

LIVE NOW -- Announcing Ink | Kraken's L2@ben_chain from @Optimism and Andrew Koller from @krakenfx join us today to talk about Kraken’s latest release -- Ink, a blockchain built on the OP Stack, joining the Superchain to scale Ethereum.@inkonchain offers 1-second block times… pic.twitter.com/mag7NSZKQ8

— Bankless (@BanklessHQ) October 24, 2024

What really makes Ink stand out is its unique position in the market. Kraken's already helped millions of people get into crypto through their centralized exchange (they've got a massive user base that's been vetted through some of the strictest compliance standards in the industry). As mentioned by Andrew Koller in an exclusive Bankless interview, they're building a bridge to DeFi that leverages all that trust and experience. That's not just another L2 play – that's about bringing serious institutional credibility to the DeFi space.

The technical foundation is solid too. By leveraging Optimism's open-source OP Stack (which is MIT-licensed), Ink isn't just joining the Ethereum ecosystem – it's becoming part of something bigger called the Superchain. Think of it as joining a network of blockchains that all share the same security standards, governance, and values. For the tech folks out there, this means you're getting Ethereum's battle-tested security while being part of a system that's actually helping scale Ethereum itself. In the long run, the Superchain promises interoperability across its ecosystem and beyond, where liquidity will eventually be shared everywhere across the different chains in the Superchain.

The numbers back this up too. According to Bloomberg, this model's already proven profitable – just look at Coinbase pulling in $53 million in sequencer revenue in Q2 alone. Sequencers are responsible for organizing transactions in a roll-up before sending it to Ethereum for processing, and Kraken's positioning as Ink's sequencer isn't just about control – it's about creating a sustainable economic model that can support long-term ecosystem growth.

Here's where it gets interesting: Ink isn't launching into the void. They're coming in hot with over a dozen dApps ready to go, focusing on real-world assets and advanced lending platforms. For the DeFi enthusiasts out there, this means you're not just getting another platform – you're getting an entire ecosystem that's been thoughtfully designed from day one.

What Should You Do As A Retail User?

1. Mint the Official NFT from Zora, you can do so by visiting this website. This will also grant you the OG Role in the official Discord channel. This may be a useful role if there are potential airdrops in the future should a token be released.

2. If you are a developer, you can claim the Ink Apprentice Dev Role by verifying you have deployed a contract on either ETH/OP/BASE/ARB/MATIC/BNB or have a Github account older than one year. You can do so by verifying on the guild website.

3. Subscribe to their website newsletter for official updates here. The Testnet will be released during DevCon in Bangkok, and the Mainnet will be out in Q1 2025. Remember to verify all links before signing any contract with the official web pages.

Conclusion

This isn't just about adding another chain to the crypto universe. It's about an established, trusted player with over a decade of crypto experience saying, "We know what users need, and we're building it from the ground up." When you combine Kraken's regulatory compliance track record, their deep understanding of what institutional and retail users actually want, and their commitment to DeFi innovation, Ink starts looking less like another L2 and more like a serious contender for bridging the gap between CeFi and DeFi.

Always do your own research on any crypto project, and make sure that you verify any sites and protocols that you are connecting your wallet to. This article is only for informational purposes and should not be taken as investment or financial advice.