- Kraken has reintroduced on-chain staking for U.S. clients in 39 states, offering 17 assets like ETH and SOL.
- The move follows a $30 million settlement with the SEC in 2023 over unregistered securities.
- Kraken’s staking services now include third-party slashing insurance for added security.
Kraken, one of the oldest names in the crypto game, is back in action with its on-chain staking services for U.S. customers. Yup, after getting slapped by the SEC in early 2023 and coughing up $30 million to settle those pesky unregistered securities charges, they’re giving it another shot. This time, it’s available to users in 39 states and territories.
The exchange confirmed on Thursday that eligible clients can now stake up to 17 different assets—think ETH, SOL, DOT, and ADA—through Kraken Pro. The process involves bonded staking, meaning your tokens are locked in for varying periods based on the blockchain’s rules.
A Softer Stance on Crypto?
Interestingly enough, it seems the U.S. crypto environment is finally easing up. With Donald Trump back in the White House, there’s been a noticeable shift—gone are the harsh restrictions that the SEC enforced during the last administration. Kraken’s move to reintroduce staking services feels like one of the first big signs of this regulatory thaw.
“We Never Gave Up”
“We’ve been thinking for a long time about how to bring staking back to our U.S. clients,” said Mark Greenberg, Kraken’s Global Head of Consumer. In an interview, he called the return of staking “a huge win—not just for Kraken but for the entire U.S. crypto scene.”
The relaunch isn’t just about staking—it’s about security, too. Kraken revealed that U.S. customers will benefit from slashing insurance provided by a third-party partner, offering some peace of mind for those worried about token penalties.
So, yeah, it’s been quite the turnaround. From shutting down staking operations under regulatory heat to launching this more robust, insured version—it feels like Kraken’s making a statement: crypto staking in the U.S. isn’t dead, not by a long shot.
