Are Kraken and Public apps also crypto wallets
8/4/2025 04:25am
**Kraken and Public are not traditional crypto wallets.** While they are involved in the crypto ecosystem, their primary function is not the storage or management of private keys.
1. **Kraken**: Kraken is a well-known cryptocurrency exchange that offers various services, including trading, storing, and managing cryptocurrencies. However, it is not a wallet in the traditional sense. Kraken provides custody services, which means that users' private keys are held by the exchange, and the users have access to their funds through the Kraken platform. This is different from a self-custody wallet where the private keys are under the user's control.
2. **Public**: Public is a platform that offers cryptocurrency trading services through its subsidiary, Bakkt Crypto. Similar to Kraken, Public does not provide a self-custody wallet. Instead, users' cryptocurrencies are held in omnibus-hosted wallets provided by Bakkt Crypto. This means that the platform manages the private keys on behalf of the users, and the users can access their funds through the Public app. This setup is also a form of custodial wallet where the third party, in this case, Bakkt Crypto, holds the private keys.
In summary, both Kraken and Public are part of the cryptocurrency ecosystem but do not offer the self-custody wallet functionality where users have direct control over their private keys.