Kraken has reinstated crypto staking for U.S. users, marking a significant comeback after regulators forced the exchange to discontinue its previous program two years ago.
The new service allows customers in 37 states and two territories to stake 17 different cryptocurrencies directly on-chain, offering an alternative to centralized staking models that previously drew regulatory scrutiny.
Users can now stake assets such as Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Cosmos (ATOM), along with 14 other Proof-of-Stake tokens. Kraken’s Global Head of Consumers, Mark Greenberg, described the relaunch as a major step forward for both the company and the broader U.S. crypto ecosystem.
He emphasized that the new staking program not only enables customers to earn rewards but also contributes to the security and functionality of blockchain networks.
This move comes after Kraken reached a $30 million settlement with the SEC in 2022, which led to the shutdown of its initial staking service. At the time, the regulator argued that the program constituted an unregistered securities offering.
Kraken’s latest iteration aims to comply with existing regulations while restoring staking opportunities for U.S. customers. By reintroducing the service in a modified form, the exchange is positioning itself as a leader in regulatory-compliant staking solutions.
Coinbase is making moves to expand its crypto derivatives offerings by filing with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to introduce futures contracts for XRP.
Retail investors are increasingly favoring XRP over Bitcoin, as Glassnode data shows a dramatic 490% increase in XRP’s daily active addresses, compared to just 10% for Bitcoin since the 2022 market low.
Fidelity Investments has moved forward with plans to launch a spot Solana Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) formally acknowledging the filing.
Cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez has raised concerns about Ethereum’s future performance against Bitcoin, suggesting a significant decline could be on the horizon.