Cryptocurrency exchanges launching their own tokens is not unprecedented, yet some remain hesitant. For instance, while Coinbase launched the BASE network, they announced under SEC pressure that they would not issue a token. In contrast, Kraken is taking a different path.
INK Coin
Kraken has initiated the INK network, much like Coinbase’s BASE network, but with a significant difference: it will issue its own token. The Ink Foundation has officially announced plans to release the INK token and conduct an airdrop. This move was anticipated from Kraken’s INK branch for quite some time. Following the success of the BASE network, Kraken has entrusted the management of their layer2 network to the Ink Foundation.
While the BASE network has declared the continued use of ETH for transaction fees, offering speed and cost-effectiveness, it has been criticized because the revenue from Ethereum 
$2,399’s main network gets absorbed by BASE.
INK’s official social media describes their token as focused not on speculation or price movements but having real-world applications. They claim their user-centric token model is the only true model.
“No hype, no governance theater, but compatible incentives from day one. From credit to trading and beyond, Ink Foundation envisions a future where INK supports a robust DeFi ecosystem managed by its users and aligns with their success.” – Ink Foundation
Airdrop and Ink Network
DeFi users participating in the INK liquidity pool on Aave will soon qualify for the airdrop. Kraken, to circumvent potential legal repercussions, is managing this process through a foundation affiliate. Though specific details are pending, multiple INK drops are expected.
The INK network is not alone, being part of Optimism’s “Superchain” ecosystem. In this setup, entities like Base, Sony, UniSwap, World, and others have found success. The Superchain offers an interoperability network, easing access to security, communication, governance, and technological innovations for Ethereum L2s. Curiously, Optimism’s price hasn’t surged given external factors like rising oil prices and political tensions.
In a final note, Kraken, like Coinbase, plans a public offering targeted for the first quarter of 2026.
