Introducing Ink: The Layer-2 Opening Exciting DeFi Opportunities to Everyone

Ink offers users seamless access and interoperability with the cutting edge of decentralized finance

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kraken, one of the longest-standing, most liquid and secure cryptocurrency exchanges, has unveiled Ink, a layer-2 (L2) built on the Optimism Superchain that will become one of the most compelling ecosystems in DeFi.

Ink bridges the gap between users and the builders engineering the future of DeFi, offering secure and seamless access to compelling and streamlined experiences that open DeFi’s wealth building opportunities to a much broader sweep of crypto users than ever before.

Echoing Kraken’s unmatched commitment to making crypto accessible to everyone, Ink eliminates the points of friction that have historically made moving between centralized and decentralized worlds challenging. This enables users to effortlessly engage with top-tier DeFi applications, protocols, and communities in a single, integrated ecosystem that they can access wealth-building opportunities onchain.

Ink joins the broader Ethereum ecosystem and is being built on Optimism’s open source, MIT-licensed OP Stack codebase. In addition to inheriting the security of Ethereum, the world’s largest blockchain platform, Ink will become part of the Superchain, a network of blockchains built on a common standard codebase that shares security, governance, and values. This unified network of L2s are working together to scale Ethereum.

Scheduled to launch on testnet soon, Ink will add to the standout success of the Ethereum L2s on its mission to make DeFi more accessible than ever before and accelerate the migration of assets and activity onchain. Ink will support SuperchainERC20 at launch, enabling users to easily move across the Superchain ecosystem and preparing the ground for more seamless interactions between Ink and other OP Chains.

Andrew Koller, founder of Ink, said: “Ink will work closely with developers and the community to create a compelling ecosystem for all. We’re excited to accelerate the move onchain with an interoperable L2 that will make it even more seamless for crypto users to access DeFi. Ink the future.”

Ryan Wyatt, Chief Growth Officer at Optimism Unlimited, said: "We’re excited to welcome Ink to Optimism, as they join other industry leaders building on the OP Stack. Optimism’s technology powers the Superchain, and nearly 50% of all Ethereum L2 transactions. As part of this Superchain ecosystem, Ink will contribute to Optimism governance and drive revenue back to the Optimism Collective as we work together to scale Ethereum.”

Ink is set to launch on testnet later this year. Users can celebrate the unveiling of Ink now by minting a unique NFT on Zora, Ink’s Superchain partner. Head here to find out more about Ink, read our blog post here, and visit here for more info on the Optimism Superchain.

Keep up to date with Ink by joining the Ink Telegram channel, following Ink on X and sign up to Ink’s first developer event here. Developers can join the Ink Discord here.

About Kraken

Kraken is one of the world’s longest-standing and most secure crypto platforms. Our mission is to accelerate the global adoption of crypto, so that everyone can achieve financial freedom and inclusion. Globally, Kraken clients trade more than 300 digital assets and 6 different national currencies, including GBP, EUR, USD, CAD, CHF, and AUD.

Founded in 2011, Kraken was among the first to offer spot trading with margin, parachain auctions, staking, regulated derivatives and index services under one roof (please note that geographical restrictions may apply to these services and products). Trusted by over 10 million individuals, traders and institutions around the world, Kraken offers professional 24/7/365 client support along with one of the fastest, best performing trading platforms available. Kraken has set the industry standard for transparency and client trust, and was the first crypto platform to conduct Proof of Reserves.

In 2024, Kraken ranked 14th in Newsweek’s Global Top 100 list of Most Loved Workplaces. The only crypto company to have made the list two years in a row, this showcases how the platform offers one of the world’s most compelling employment opportunities.

Kraken markets can be monitored and traded via the web or through the Kraken and Kraken Pro Apps. For more information about Kraken, please visit www.kraken.com.