What Is Ink Chain?
Ink is an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain built by Kraken on the OP Stack. It was designed specifically to be the Superchain's home for DeFi, with a stated goal of bringing on‑chain finance to the next billion users. Transactions are fast and cheap, making it easy for everyday users to interact with DeFi protocols without getting burned by gas fees.
The chain is a direct bridge between Kraken's massive centralized exchange user base and the on‑chain world. Apps like SuperSwap, Velodrome, and Tydro, a lending protocol powered by Aave, are already live and growing on the network. Ink has a total supply of 1 billion INK tokens.
The Airdrop Is Confirmed
Ink Chain has officially confirmed that an INK token airdrop is coming. According to PonziTrader, an advisor to both Ink Chain and Nado, the airdrop is expected to land somewhere between July and September 2026. While no exact date has been locked in, the window is close enough to start taking it seriously.
The first Ink points were distributed on April 13, 2026, tied directly to Kraken Pro trading activity. Points are calculated weekly and added every Monday, reflecting the previous week's trades. For existing Kraken users, activity from as far back as April 6, 2026, already counts.
How to Start Earning Ink Points
The clearest starting point is Kraken Pro. Create a Kraken account, complete identity verification, and start trading on the Pro platform. This is the only officially confirmed way to accumulate Ink points right now. The Ink Points leaderboard for Kraken Pro users is already live, so you can track where you stand.
There are also limited‑time boosts available to increase your point earnings. Cash deposits come with a 2x points multiplier. Reactivation bonuses offer a 3x multiplier. Setting price alerts on the platform also triggers a bonus boost. These are time‑sensitive, so it pays to act quickly.
Get Active On‑Chain
Beyond Kraken Pro, on‑chain activity on the Ink mainnet also matters. Start by bridging ETH or stablecoins to the Ink network using the Ink Dashboard or a cross‑chain bridge like Rhino Bridge. Gas fees are minimal, so this shouldn't cost much.
Once you're on‑chain, head to Nado DEX and execute some perpetual trades. The Ink team has officially confirmed that Nado users will be eligible for the INK airdrop, so this is not just speculation. Nado activity earns Nado points and counts as direct eligibility criteria for INK.
Similarly, Tydro, Ink's native lending protocol, is another confirmed eligibility pathway. Supply assets to earn yield or borrow against collateral. The Ink team has specifically called out Tydro liquidity providers as recipients of a dedicated INK airdrop allocation.
Explore the Broader Ecosystem
Don't stop at just one or two apps. Spread your activity across the Ink ecosystem to build a stronger on‑chain profile. Velodrome, InkyPump, and the daily GM check‑in feature are all worth interacting with regularly.
You can also register a .ink domain through ZNS to tie your identity to the ecosystem, deploy a simple smart contract through OnChainGM, and send a GM to another user on the network. Each of these counts as an additional transaction on your address.
Minting the Ink Pass NFT through Sweep and claiming your Guild role via the Ink Guild page are two more actions that could serve as eligibility checkpoints when the airdrop criteria are finalized.
What to Keep in Mind
Consistency matters more than volume here. A wallet with steady, recurring activity across multiple weeks tends to score better than one with a single large transaction. Set a regular schedule and stick to it.
Avoid spreading activity across multiple wallets. Sybil filtering is standard in major airdrops, and it will likely disqualify you rather than help.
The exact eligibility criteria for on‑chain App activity have not been officially published yet. However, early and consistent users are typically rewarded retroactively when programs launch.
Why Ink Is Worth Your Attention
Ink is backed by Kraken, one of the most established names in crypto. The airdrop window is narrow, July to September 2026, and the team has given users a clear, confirmed path to earn points through Kraken Pro. That kind of clarity is rare in the airdrop space.
Start trading on Kraken Pro, get on‑chain, and build an active history across Nado, Tydro, and the wider Ink ecosystem. When eligibility details drop, you'll want that groundwork already laid.
