Crypto alternate Kraken introduced the upcoming launch of Ink, an Ethereum layer-2 community primarily based on the Optimism Superchain, in an Oct. 24 assertion.
Ink goals to empower customers to commerce, borrow, and lend tokens with out the necessity for intermediaries, marking a big shift from Kraken’s present centralized alternate mannequin.
Ink founder Andrew Koller mentioned:
“Ink will work carefully with builders and the group to create a compelling ecosystem for all. We’re excited to speed up the transfer onchain with an interoperable L2 that may make it much more seamless for crypto customers to entry DeFi. Ink the long run.”
The community plans to launch its testnet for builders later this yr, with a full rollout for retail and institutional customers anticipated within the first quarter of 2025.
Why Optimism Superchain?
Kraken acknowledged that its selection of the Optimism Superchain would enable it to profit from Ethereum’s strong safety. This may additionally place Ink as a part of the Superchain — a unified community of blockchains that shares safety, governance, and values designed to boost Ethereum scalability.
In the meantime, the alternate choice aligns with the rising pattern amongst main crypto companies, together with Coinbase, Uniswap, and World, which leverage this know-how for his or her layer-2 networks.
Optimism Limitless Chief Development Officer Ryan Wyatt commented:
“Optimism’s know-how powers the Superchain, and practically 50% of all Ethereum L2 transactions. As a part of this Superchain ecosystem, Ink will contribute to Optimism governance and drive income again to the Optimism Collective as we work collectively to scale Ethereum.”
Regardless of this important adoption of Optimism know-how, Arbitrum stays the dominant layer-2 community, based on DeFillama information.
Kraken’s increasing product portfolio
The launch of Ink enhances Kraken’s increasing vary of merchandise aimed toward solidifying its business place.
This month, the alternate launched kBTC, a brand new wrapped Bitcoin product designed to boost the highest crypto availability in DeFi actions. The agency acknowledged that every kBTC is securely backed 1:1 by an equal quantity of Bitcoin held in its custody.
Additional, Kraken additionally introduced the combination of EigenLayer to permit its customers to restake their ETH instantly from its platform.
As well as, Kraken has launched a derivatives buying and selling platform in Bermuda following the acquisition of a Class F Digital Enterprise License from the Bermuda Financial Authority (BMA).
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