Kraken Pro Launches Ink Points: Season 1 is Open, Potential Airdrop?

Kraken Pro has just launched Ink Points, a loyalty program structured in seasons and directly connected to the Ink ecosystem, the Layer 2 developed by the exchange. Season 1 has already been underway since April 6, and active users of Kraken Pro are accumulating points without even having to sign up. Five progression levels, a system of weekly boosts, and a visible leaderboard: the American exchange, valued at $20 billion since its last funding round, is laying the foundations for a long-term loyalty infrastructure. A strong signal in a market where the battle to capture and retain traders is intensifying.

How does the Ink Points program work on Kraken Pro?

The principle behind Ink Points is simple: the more active a user is on Kraken Pro, the more points they accumulate. These points are calculated and added every Monday, reflecting the activity of the previous week. For existing customers, accumulation began retroactively on April 6. New users start accumulating as soon as they sign up. The program requires no specific action to activate: normal use of the platform is sufficient.

The program operates in four-week seasons. The total number of points accumulated during a season determines the level assigned for the next season. Five levels are accessible based on points. A sixth level, VIP, is the highest tier of the program: access is selective and by invitation only, according to the official Kraken blog. Levels are dynamic and can rise or fall from one season to another, as each period is evaluated independently. The lifetime total of points, however, is never reset.

To accelerate progression, Kraken Pro has implemented a system of weekly boosts. Each week, certain categories of activities benefit from temporary bonus points. Two types of boosts coexist: multipliers, which amplify points already earned on eligible actions, and flat boosts, which grant points for actions that do not usually generate them. These limited-time opportunities can be viewed directly from the Ink Points dashboard, where users can track their total, current level, and position on the overall leaderboard.

Why is Kraken betting on Ink Points in the race for loyalty programs?

The initiative is part of a broader movement within the crypto ecosystem. Exchanges are competing with increasing creativity to retain their most active traders, in a market where competition between platforms has never been so intense. Kraken, which in March 2026 obtained a master account with the U.S. Federal Reserve via its subsidiary Kraken Financial—a first for a crypto exchange—now has a solid institutional foundation to deploy this type of program. The exchange has also partnered with Nasdaq to distribute tokenized stocks outside the United States, according to CoinDesk.

The link with Ink, Kraken’s Layer 2 built on the Optimism Superchain, gives the program a dimension that goes beyond a simple loyalty tool. Ink offers near-zero fees, EVM compatibility, and a growing DeFi ecosystem. By connecting Ink Points to this environment, Kraken is creating a bridge between trading activity on its centralized platform and the opportunities offered by its decentralized infrastructure. The seasonal structure introduces a gameplay rhythm reminiscent of gamification mechanics already proven by other players in the sector, but with a concrete anchor in a developing Layer 2 ecosystem.

However, it is essential to recall the framework set by Kraken: Ink Points have no monetary value. They cannot be transferred, exchanged, or converted into money, crypto-assets, tokens, fee credits, discounts, goods, or services. The criteria and allocation schedule may be modified, and the availability of the program varies by jurisdiction; it is notably not accessible in the United Kingdom. This cautious positioning reflects a post-MiCA regulatory environment where every wording is carefully considered.

The Ink Points program raises a question that the entire sector is watching: will centralized exchanges manage to turn occasional traders into engaged users of their decentralized ecosystems? If Kraken’s seasonal model succeeds in establishing a sustainable engagement rhythm, it could become a standard for loyalty in the crypto industry. Conversely, the success of the program will depend on the exchange’s ability to gradually unveil benefits attractive enough to justify the race for levels. Season 1 has just begun; the coming weeks will provide an initial verdict.