Ink Mainnet Goes Live Using OP Stack
Kraken, the seventh-largest crypto exchange, has launched Ink, its Ethereum-based layer-2 rollup network, months ahead of the original early-2025 schedule. Built on the OP Stack, Ink joins the Optimism Superchain ecosystem, aiming to enhance DeFi accessibility for users and builders.
"We’re pushing the boundaries of on-chain experiences to unlock new applications and opportunities for builders and users alike."
— Andrew Koller, Ink Founder
Key Features of Ink
- Early Launch: Deployed in December 2024, ahead of projections.
- OP Stack Integration: Leverages Optimism’s scalable rollup technology.
- Developer Grants: Kraken received 25 million OP tokens (~$58M) to foster ecosystem growth.
👉 Explore how layer-2 solutions like Ink revolutionize DeFi
Strategic Partnerships and Incentives
Kraken’s deal with Optimism mirrors competitor Coinbase’s Base network, which received 118 million OP tokens in 2023. Both networks contribute a percentage of revenue to the Optimism Collective, reinforcing the Superchain’s shared security model.
Participants in OP Stack Ecosystem
| Entity | Contribution |
|----------------------|----------------------------------|
| Kraken | Layer-2 liquidity & adoption |
| Uniswap | TBA (Tokens undisclosed) |
| Sony Blockchain Labs | Building privacy-focused L2 |
FAQs
Q: What makes Ink different from other layer-2 solutions?
A: Ink combines Optimism’s OP Stack with Kraken’s exchange liquidity, prioritizing UX and privacy enhancements.
Q: How does the Superchain benefit developers?
A: Grants in OP tokens incentivize building scalable dApps while sharing sequencer revenue.
Q: Will Ink support cross-chain transactions?
A: Yes, via Ethereum compatibility and future bridging solutions.
👉 Learn about Ethereum’s layer-2 evolution
The Road Ahead
Ink’s launch marks a milestone in layer-2 adoption, with plans to expand DeFi use cases and on-chain privacy tools. As Andrew Koller noted, the focus is now on scaling usability and ecosystem collaboration.
Keywords: Kraken, Ink layer-2, OP Stack, Ethereum rollup, Optimism Superchain, DeFi scalability, Crypto exchange
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