How to generate up to 8% return on your euros
Kraken's exchange platform launched DeFi Earn. This feature opens DeFi rewards to everyone. It starts on January 26, 2026. Users can earn up to 8% variable APY on euros, dollars, and USDC. No need to learn tough DeFi skills.
A simple path to DeFi without hassle.
DeFi rewards used to mean handling your own wallet. You had to guard seed phrases. Gas fees and protocol switches added stress. DeFi Earn fixes that. It puts everything right in Kraken's main interface.
"DeFi Earn does more than add a tool. It links DeFi's power to the smooth feel of a top app," says John Zettler. He manages Earn products at Kraken.
Users deposit euros, dollars, or USDC. Funds switch to USDC if needed. Then they go into Veda vaults. Veda leads DeFi vaults with over $3.5 billion locked in value.
How DeFi Earn runs.
It uses a full auto loop in three steps.
Step 1 - Deposit: Move money from your Kraken account to DeFi Earn. Euros, dollars, or USDC work.
Step 2 - Allocation: Switch to USDC if required. Send to checked vaults on Ethereum or Kraken's Ink Layer 2. Vaults lend to top DeFi apps.
Step 3 - Rewards: Borrowers pay fees for the cash. Those fees turn into USDC rewards for you. They land straight in your Kraken account.
Users do nothing by hand. No outside wallet. No on-chain signs needed.
Top DeFi apps.
Vaults stick to safe, tested lending spots. No new risks.
Aave leads lending. It holds over $50 billion in deposits. It covers 82% of Ethereum debt.
Tydro and Sky Ecosystem join on Ink.
Veda Labs builds the base. Their BoringVault sets the standard. They got $18 million in June 2025 from CoinFund and Coinbase Ventures.
Sentora adds pro tools. It runs auto plans and watches in real time.
Ink: Kraken's own Layer 2.
DeFi Earn runs big on Ink. Kraken started this Layer 2 in December 2024. It uses Optimism's OP Stack. Ink joins the Superchain for shared safety and links.
Ink blocks come every second. Fees beat Ethereum's. It ties right into Kraken.
The Ink Foundation runs it. They plan an INK token soon. Early liquidity users get an airdrop.
Kraken pairs Ink with DeFi Earn for easy flow and low costs.
Where it's available and rules.
You can use it in the European Economic Area (like France). Also Canada. And 48 US states, but not New York or Maine.
Take major fiat or Kraken stablecoins. Pullouts happen fast most times. Protocol squeezes might slow them.
What it means for you.
DeFi Earn fits a pattern. Big platforms now lead to DeFi. Coinbase did it with Base in 2023. Kraken uses Ink and this tool the same way.
You get better returns than bank savings. Livret A tops at 2.4% in 2026. Skip the DeFi tech hassle.
Kraken keeps users with extras past trades. Exchanges fight hard now.
Start with DeFi Earn.
Log into Kraken.
Hit the Earn tab.
Pick DeFi Earn.
Set amount and risk level.
Agree to terms.
Rewards build on their own.
Rewards change and lack guarantees. You risk losing all or part. Smart contracts bring dangers. Check Terms of Service for details. Tech risks cover bugs, hacks, and Oracle or bridge fails. Market risks hit price drops and wipes. Ops risks mean stuck trades, gas costs, jams. Kraken skips control of outside apps. Payward Wallet, LLC offers it. Fees count. Rules differ by place.