
Kraken brings Solana DEX trading into main app
Kraken has launched on-chain decentralised exchange trading inside its main app, giving users direct access to a wider range of Solana ecosystem tokens.
The update allows Kraken users to trade thousands of Solana-based assets without moving away from the exchange’s familiar app interface.
The launch forms part of Kraken’s wider “DeFi mullet” strategy, which aims to combine centralised exchange usability with decentralised finance access.
Kraken said the new feature is supported by its embedded wallet infrastructure Privy and several widely used Solana decentralised exchange protocols.
The integration means users can view DEX assets in the same portfolio section as their existing Kraken holdings.
Kraken customers can also execute trades using their USD or USDC balances, reducing the need to manage separate wallets or external trading platforms.
The move signals Kraken’s push to make decentralised finance tools easier for mainstream users who may not be comfortable using standalone DeFi apps.
Solana’s fast and low-cost network has made it a popular base for token trading, especially across decentralised exchanges and newer crypto projects.
By bringing Solana DEX access into its app, Kraken is seeking to keep users inside its platform while expanding the range of assets available to them.
The feature may also help users discover smaller Solana ecosystem tokens that are not listed through Kraken’s standard centralised exchange markets.
However, DEX trading can carry added risks, including thin liquidity, price swings, smart contract exposure, and tokens with limited public information.
The launch reflects a broader industry trend in which major crypto platforms are adding DeFi features while trying to keep the user experience simple.
Kraken’s approach could reduce friction for users who want DeFi access but still prefer the account management and portfolio tools of a centralised exchange.
The company plans to expand the same DEX capabilities to additional blockchain ecosystems in the future.
That expansion could make Kraken’s app a wider gateway for on-chain trading across multiple networks, rather than a platform focused only on listed exchange assets.
At the time of reporting, Solana price was $70.96.