Kraken Pro launches Ink Points: Season 1 is open, potential Airdrop?

Kraken Pro has just launched Ink Pointsa loyalty program structured by seasons and directly connected to the Ink ecosystem, Layer 2 developed by the exchange. Season 1 has already been underway since April 6, and active Kraken Pro users are accumulating points without even having to register. Five levels of progression, a system of weekly boosts and a visible ranking: the American exchange, valued at $20 billion since its last fundraising, lays the foundations of a loyalty infrastructure designed for the long term. 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 of Ink Points is based on a simple mechanism: 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 past week. For existing customers, collection has started retroactively April 6. New users start earning as soon as they sign up. The program does not require any specific action to be activated: normal use of the platform is sufficient.

The program works by four-week seasons. The total points accumulated during a season determines the level awarded for the following season. Five levels are accessible based on points. A sixth level, VIP, constitutes the highest level of the program: its access is selective and is by invitation only, according to the official Kraken blog. The levels are dynamic, they can go up or down from one season to the next, with each period being evaluated independently. The lifetime points total is never reset.

To accelerate progress, 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 the points already collected on eligible actions, and fixed boosts, which award points for actions that do not usually generate them. These limited-time opportunities are viewed directly from the Ink Points dashboard, where the user can track their total, current level, and overall leaderboard position.

Why is Kraken banking on Ink Points in the loyalty program race?

The initiative is part of a broader movement in the crypto ecosystem. Exchanges are competing in ingenuity to retain the loyalty of their most active traders, in a market where competition between platforms has never been so keen. Kraken, which in March 2026 obtained a main account with the US Federal Reserve via its subsidiary Kraken Financial, a first for a crypto exchange, now has a solid institutional base to deploy this type of program. The exchange has also formed a partnership with Nasdaq to distribute tokenized shares outside the United States, according to CoinDesk.

The link with InkKraken's Layer 2 built on the Superchain, Optimism, gives the program a dimension that goes beyond a simple loyalty tool. Ink offers near-zero fees, EVM compatibility, and a developing DeFi ecosystem. By connecting Ink Points to this environment, Kraken creates a bridge between the trading activity on the centralized platform and the prospects offered by its decentralized infrastructure. The seasons introduce a rhythm of play reminiscent of the gamification mechanics already tested by other players in the sector, but with a concrete anchoring in a Layer 2 ecosystem under construction.

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 cash, crypto-assets, tokens, fee credits, rebates, goods or services. Award criteria and timing are subject to change, and program availability varies by jurisdiction, including not available in the United Kingdom. This cautious positioning reflects a post-MiCA regulatory environment where each formulation is carefully weighed.

The Ink Points program asks a question that the entire industry is watching: will centralized exchanges succeed in transforming their casual traders into engaged users of their decentralized ecosystems? If Kraken's seasonal model manages to establish a sustainable rhythm of engagement, 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 to the tiers. Season 1 has just started, the next few weeks will give a first verdict.