INK Surges 14% as Kraken Integrates Ink L2 for On-Chain Utility

Digital tokens faced a volatile session on July 25, 2025, as Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced bearish pressure, yet INK bucked the trend with a 14% price surge following Kraken’s announcement of integrating the INK token and Ink Layer-2 into its product suite [1]. The move, positioned as a strategic step toward unifying centralized finance (CeFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi), has positioned INK as a focal point in the evolving crypto landscape. Kraken’s co-CEO Arjun Sethi emphasized the platform’s vision to leverage Ink’s EVM-compatible, high-throughput Layer-2 infrastructure for scalable, low-latency transactions across trading and payment ecosystems, particularly for institutional participants [1].

INK’s price surged from $0.00007265 to $0.00008307 post-announcement, driven by anticipation for Kraken’s airdrop via its Drops program. The airdrop, targeting active, eligible users, aims to amplify on-chain utility for the token. The Ink Foundation highlighted the integration’s role in consolidating user, developer, and protocol activity on the Layer-2 network, with INK serving as the primary medium for governance and interaction [1]. Kraken’s CEO underscored the partnership’s potential to standardize value transfers in digital asset markets, addressing liquidity and accessibility gaps for both retail and institutional actors [1].

The market reaction underscores growing demand for Layer-2 solutions amid broader crypto market stagnation. While INK briefly reached an intraday high of $0.00008307, it consolidated at $0.00008032 by the close, signaling cautious optimism. Analysts note that sustained momentum will depend on increased trading volume and Kraken’s execution of the integration, particularly as bearish sentiment dominates the broader market [1].

Kraken’s alignment with Ink reflects a broader industry trend of exchanges prioritizing on-chain infrastructure to enhance user experiences. By embedding Ink’s protocols into its offerings, Kraken aims to create a seamless interface between CeFi and DeFi, potentially reducing friction for cross-ecosystem activities. This development highlights the evolving role of tokens like INK as interoperability enablers, a theme gaining traction in 2025 as market participants seek scalable, institutional-grade solutions [1].

The integration also signals Kraken’s commitment to expanding its product suite beyond traditional listings. The platform’s focus on real-world use cases—such as advanced on-chain payments and trading infrastructure—aligns with investor interest in utility-driven tokens. As Kraken prepares to launch the airdrop, the community’s engagement will be critical in determining INK’s long-term viability as a bridge between centralized and decentralized financial systems [1].

Source:

[1] [INK Decouples with 14% Rally as Kraken Integrates Ink L2 for On-Chain Utility] (https://invezz.com/news/2025/07/25/ink-decouples-with-14-rally-as-kraken-integrates-ink-l2-for-on-chain-utility/)