2024 ended with a huge buzz about Kraken’s announcement regarding the launch of its layer 2 blockchain, called Ink. Ink was initially going to be introduced in the early 2025, however with the advancement of the project along with the enthusiasm of Kraken’s community the launch was held beforehand on December 18th, 2024.
Ink is a blockchain developed by Kraken which is known as one of the substantial centralized exchanges. Ink is built on ethereum blockchain along with optimism’s OP stack. Ink is a layer-2 DeFi bridge that joins the centralized and decentralized finance (Defi) with an aim of making DeFi more reliable and effective.
Layer 2 (L2) solutions is an enhancement done on the base blockchains, known as Layer 1 (L1) solutions. The addition of this layer is done for better refinement and basically for upgrading to a better and enhanced level.
What Is Ink and How Is It Related to Kraken?
Kraken is one of the classic crypto exchanges with millions of active users worldwide. It allows the users to trade, stake, store, send and receive cryptocurrencies. Kraken has been a popular centralized exchange and it has launched its Layer 2 blockchain known as Ink, Kraken’s main motive for developing Ink is to build a bridge to decentralised finance (DeFi) and to get institutional reliability into the DeFi ecosystem.
Ink has been built on Optimism’s OP stack and Ethereum and is also supported by many other DeFi projects. With its Layer 2 characteristics Ink has enhanced its performance level and security measures to develop an enhanced engagement and a better experience to its users.
Before its official launch Ink went through a positive testnet phase wherein 90,600 tokens were deployed and over 1.22 million wallet’s got engaged making an embarking start in the crypto market.
Features of Ink Kraken’s layer-2 DeFi Bridge
Here are the top features of Ink you need to know:
Layer 2 Solution
One of the primary features of Ink is that it is built on L2 (Layer 2 solutions) which comes with enhanced and advanced attributes.
Robust Security
Ink provides a high level of security to its users from any spams or online threats. Ink also allows its users to use Ethereum’s tried and tested robust privacy and security features to ensure their assets are secured.
Low Gas Fees
Along with all the other features Ink also provides low gas fees which makes it very convenient for its users to engage and perform seamless transactions.
Backed up by Ethereum
One of the most important features is that Ink is backed up by Ethereum which builds a huge amount of conviction within the existing and the new users to trust in Ink. Ink allows its users to engage with the Superchain ERC20 tokens providing a smoother experience within the ecosystem.
Launched by Kraken
Kraken is one the oldest and largest exchanges in the crypto market with numerous active users, meanwhile Ink being launched by Kraken automatically gained a lot of popularity. The major advantage of Ink is that it has been supported by Kraken.
Built on Optimism’s Superchain
Ink is built on Optimism’s OP stack and is a part of a superchain network which has numerous blockchains built in together sharing the same features and protocols.
What Makes Ink Different From Other L2 Solutions?
The foremost difference between Ink and other L2 solutions is that it is backed by 2 major giants of the crypto market – Kraken and Ethereum, these two not only creates a huge amount of trust among the users as well as enhances the security levels which provides lower risks of any theft or scams, the information of the users remain exclusive which is the most important factor in the DeFi ecosystem.
One of the major aims of Kraken in developing Ink is to make crypto more comprehensible for all by eliminating all the regular hassle in swapping among the centralized and decentralized networks. With the help of Ink, users can seamlessly access to the topmost DeFi apps along with their security features providing all the options on the same platform that eliminates the risks and time to runaround on other networks.
One of the main features that distinguishes Ink from other L2 solutions is that it takes only one second to form new blocks, despite being one of the fastest in creating blocks Ink is still trying to decrease one second to a split second speed.
Read our article on Ethereum Layer 2 Solution: A Focus on Arbitrum’s Scalability Improvements
Impact of Ink Kraken’s Layer-2 Defi Bridge in the Crypto Market?
Considering the emerging trend of developing Layer 2 solutions Ink has established a vital impact in the crypto market by bridging between the traditional centralized exchanges and complicated existing issues of DeFi.
- Created with an aim of efficient incorporation of the centralized and decentralized environments for eliminating the frequent difficulties that comes along Ink helps its users with the required appliances and assistance.
- The Layer 2 solution is built on top of the Layer 1 blockchain, showcasing an enhanced version of everything required to make DeFi seamless with advanced security and scalability, reduced costs with more efficient speed in the transactions.
- The Optimism’s OP stack allows smooth access of liquidity to pass through the chains that create the superchain. Along with all this Ink also provides its users with optimism’s rollups and ethereum’s tried and tested robust security.
Checkout the Top Layer-2 Crypto Projects for 2025
Conclusion
Kraken being one of the oldest and largest exchanges in the crypto market also comes along with a lot of experience and deep knowledge about the market moreover very well aware of what the users require and what are the missing factors in the current web3 industry, with all this keeping in mind Kraken has got Ink into the market which is a layer 2 solution developed to bridge the gap between Centralized Finances and Decentralized Finances.
Kraken’s layer 2 bridge Ink has created a hype in the market because it is strongly backed up by the giants in the market Ethereum, Kraken and Optimism’s OP stack and its superchain feature adds a cherry on top. Ink is also known for its robust security, low gas fees and sub second block creation features.
Doing your own research before deciding anything is most important. This article is for informational purposes only and does not serve as any financial advice.
