Kraken Introduces Bitcoin Vault Yielding 2.5% APY Through DeFi Integration

Quick Overview

• Kraken introduced Bitcoin Vault, a new product enabling BTC holders to earn up to 2.5% yearly returns
• Built with DeFi infrastructure partner Veda, the vault channels deposits through lending platforms including Aave, Morpho, and Tydro
• The vault collected $30 million from 4,000 distinct wallets in its first 10 hours of operation
• Users maintain non-custodial control of their assets, though withdrawals require approximately five days to complete
• Kraken’s existing stablecoin vault offerings have accumulated more than $245 million in deposits since their January debut

Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has unveiled a fresh offering that enables Bitcoin investors to generate 2.5% annual returns on their digital assets while remaining on the platform and avoiding direct engagement with decentralized finance applications.

LATEST: Kraken launched Bitcoin Vault, letting BTC holders earn up to 2.5% APY through DeFi strategies. pic.twitter.com/sYrxceHmTD

— CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) May 27, 2026

Dubbed Bitcoin Vault, the offering joins Kraken‘s Earn product suite and was developed alongside Veda, a cryptocurrency yield infrastructure provider.

The introduction arrives amid rising interest from Bitcoin investors seeking yield-generating opportunities. In contrast to Ethereum or Solana, Bitcoin lacks a native mechanism for holders to earn passive income on their holdings.

Bitcoin Vault Mechanics Explained

When investors place Bitcoin into the vault, their assets are transformed into Kraken Wrapped Bitcoin (kBTC), a token designed to mirror Bitcoin’s market value.

Sentora, a cryptocurrency platform, then distributes the kBTC throughout DeFi lending markets such as Aave, Morpho, and Tydro. Interest payments from borrowers using these protocols generate returns that flow back to vault participants.

According to Kraken, the structure operates on a non-custodial basis, granting sole access and control to depositors themselves.

The withdrawal process requires an estimated five-day timeframe. Service providers collect a 25% performance fee from generated earnings.

Veda reported that deposits surpassed $30 million from 4,000 separate wallets during the product’s initial 10-hour window.

Kraken’s Expanding Yield Ecosystem

John Zettler, Kraken’s Director of Product, explained the vault targets Bitcoin holders seeking returns on assets they intend to maintain over extended periods.

Bitcoin Vault represents one component of Kraken’s strategic initiative to provide simplified access to DeFi yield mechanisms for its user base. The platform introduced its DeFi Earn program earlier this year, encompassing staking capabilities, an Auto Earn function, and multiple vault products.

Three stablecoin yield vehicles launched by Kraken in January have collectively drawn approximately $245 million in deposits and produced over $2.2 million in returns for participants.

The USDC Vaults offering alone has accumulated nearly $250 million in deposits through what Kraken characterizes as organic expansion, achieved without promotional incentives.

Bitcoin Vault expands on this success by applying the identical framework to BTC, which has traditionally provided fewer passive income alternatives compared to other prominent cryptocurrencies.

Veda, serving as the infrastructure collaborator, indicated the product eliminates the technical hurdles of wrapping Bitcoin, transferring assets across platforms, or operating a cryptocurrency wallet.

The product is currently accessible on Kraken for qualifying users.

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