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Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has unveiled Kraken 360, a comprehensive platform designed to streamline the entire process of launching new crypto protocols. The service, available through Kraken’s European operations regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, marks the exchange’s expansion beyond traditional trading services into infrastructure support for blockchain projects.
Integrated Launch Support
Kraken 360 addresses a critical pain point in the cryptocurrency industry by consolidating multiple aspects of protocol launches into a single platform. The service covers liquidity provision, exchange listings, custody solutions, compliance requirements, staking operations, token management, treasury services, and ecosystem growth initiatives.
The platform aims to eliminate the fragmentation that typically slows down protocol launches and increases operational risks. By coordinating these elements through what Kraken calls an “end-to-end launch stack,” the exchange promises to help development teams maintain focus on building their protocols rather than managing disparate service providers.
Key Features and Services
The platform offers sustainable liquidity support across Kraken’s global spot and derivatives markets, emphasizing long-term market health over short-term trading spikes. Protocol teams gain access to a structured and transparent listing process backed by Kraken’s operational experience.
For treasury management, Kraken 360 provides regulated, segregated custody with governance-aware controls designed for secure operations at scale. The platform handles listing and custody requirements upfront, including know-your-business (KYB) and know-your-customer (KYC) alignment, custody structure setup, and reporting requirements.
Post-launch support includes staking services, vesting schedule management, token lockups, and other token mechanics designed to function smoothly after token generation events (TGE). Projects also gain access to Kraken’s global user base for distribution, with an emphasis on responsible growth and long-term user engagement.
Regulatory Framework and Availability
Custody services within Kraken 360 are provided by either Payward Financial, Inc. or Payward Europe Solutions, Ltd., depending on jurisdiction. In Europe, Payward Europe Solutions Limited, trading as Kraken, operates under regulation by the Central Bank of Ireland.
The company emphasizes that Payward Financial, Inc., doing business as Kraken Financial, is not an FDIC-insured bank, and deposits are not subject to FDIC protections. Geographic restrictions apply to the service, though specific limitations were not detailed in the announcement.
Market Positioning
Kraken’s move into protocol launch services represents a strategic expansion as cryptocurrency exchanges seek to diversify revenue streams beyond trading fees. The integrated approach differentiates Kraken 360 from existing services that typically require protocol teams to coordinate multiple vendors for different aspects of their launch.
The platform launch comes as European blockchain projects continue to seek compliant pathways to market, particularly given the region’s evolving regulatory landscape for digital assets.
Sources: Blog
