Kraken, the world’s sixth-largest cryptocurrency exchange platform, announced today the launch of its own Layer 2 network called Ink, built on the Ethereum blockchain using technology developed by Optimism.
This decision puts Kraken alongside Coinbase and other giants in creating custom networks on Optimism’s stack, further solidifying the position of this technology in the blockchain ecosystem.
Ink: A New Milestone in the Evolution of Layer 2
Ink, planned to be operational in early 2025, is based on OP Stack, a set of customizable tools that enables developers to create tailored blockchains using Optimism’s technology. Kraken thus joins major players such as Coinbase, whose Layer 2, Base, has seen tremendous success since its launch in August 2023. But Kraken is not alone: other major companies like Sony and decentralized platform Uniswap have also announced their intention to deploy networks based on OP Stack.
This strategic move confirms the growing prominence of Layer 2 solutions, which improve the efficiency of Ethereum by reducing costs and increasing transaction speed. While the creation of L2 networks is not new in itself—with solutions like Polygon, zkSync, Starknet, and Arbitrum having already emerged—Kraken’s decision could strengthen the position of OP Stack as a leader in Layer 2 technologies.
Optimism’s Superchain: An Expanding Ecosystem
Kraken’s initiative is part of a larger trend driven by Optimism, whose technology is beginning to dominate the Layer 2 market with its concept of the Superchain. This term, coined by Optimism’s leaders, refers to all L2 networks built on the same infrastructure, providing increased interoperability among different projects.
Currently, 43 rollups use Optimism’s technology, with a Total Value Locked (TVL) of $18.1 billion, surpassing even Arbitrum’s figures.
A Turning Point for OP Stack Adoption
A Layer 2 is only as valuable as what it brings to its users, and that value is created by a thriving ecosystem of developers.
By joining the Superchain, Ink lays the groundwork for an on-chain, interoperable, and pluralistic ecosystem that will attract developers and make Ink the ideal platform for the next generation of DeFi applications and protocols.
Andrew Koller, founder of Ink
Kraken’s choice to turn to OP Stack could mark a turning point in the competition between different Layer 2 technologies. While Arbitrum had always dominated the L2 race, Optimism’s network is rapidly gaining ground thanks to its diverse and interoperable ecosystem. This expansion of the Superchain could solidify Optimism’s position as the go-to reference for the new generations of decentralized networks.
