- Kraken finally adds support for Binance Coin (BNB), with deposits and withdrawals now live and full trading launching April 22 — though regional restrictions may apply.
- Crypto community reacted with mixed feelings, surprised it took Kraken this long to list a top 5 token; even Binance’s own CZ once called BNB a “memecoin.”
- Kraken’s timing aligns with shifting regulations and rising BNB traction, as over 60M tokens (worth $34B+) have been burned through Binance’s ecosystem growth.
Well, it finally happened. After years of giving Binance Coin (BNB) the cold shoulder, Kraken has decided it’s time to open the doors.
In an update shared Thursday, Kraken announced that deposits and withdrawals for BNB are now live, and full trading is set to kick off on April 22. Better late than never, right?
BNB Trading Pairs & Jurisdiction Warnings
Once trading goes live, users will be able to swap BNB against several pairs — including USD, EUR, USDC, and USDT. But, of course, there’s a catch. Kraken also mentioned that some users might be restricted from accessing BNB, depending on where they’re located and the regulations in place.
So yeah, global users, double-check your local laws.
The Crypto Community Reacts: “Took You Long Enough”
Reactions from the crypto crowd were… mixed, to say the least. Some folks were scratching their heads wondering why Kraken took this long to support a token that’s literally ranked fifth by market cap. Others weren’t surprised at all, considering how things have played out between big exchanges over the years.
And in a bit of irony, even Binance’s own co-founder, CZ, once referred to BNB as a “memecoin.” Yep. That happened.
So Why Now?
Kraken’s timing isn’t random. The move comes after what seems to be a shift in how BNB is viewed — especially in the U.S., where regulatory pressure has been intense. Things are loosening up just enough for Kraken to make its move, and it could be part of a bigger push to compete more directly with the top-tier exchanges.
It’s worth noting that Kraken grew a lot during the Trump era, and now it seems like they’re trying to reposition themselves again as the market evolves.
Don’t Forget: BNB’s Got a Burning Engine
BNB isn’t just coasting. The token has been gaining traction thanks to the growing Binance ecosystem, and its burn mechanism has been doing work. More than 60 million BNB tokens have already been permanently destroyed — that’s over $34 billion worth of supply wiped off the map.
So love it or hate it, the token’s deflationary design has made it hard to ignore.
Final Take
Kraken’s support for BNB may be late to the party, but it’s a move that shows how much the market—and the regulatory climate—has shifted. Whether this marks a new chapter for BNB or just another listing in a long line of them… well, that’s up to the traders now.
