Ink

How to Farm the Ink Airdrop

Step 1: Create a Kraken Account

Sign up at Kraken and complete identity verification. Kraken Pro activity directly counts toward Ink points, so an active verified account is the most confirmed path to eligibility right now.

Step 2: Trade on Kraken Pro

Open Kraken Pro and start trading. Regular trading activity on Kraken Pro has been confirmed to accumulate Ink points. Focus on consistent activity rather than one-time large trades.

Step 3: Bridge Assets to Ink Mainnet

Purchase some ETH via Kraken Pro and withdraw to your wallet. Head to the Ink Dashboard to access supported bridges. If you’re moving assets from another chain, you can also use Rhino Bridge for cross-chain transfers. Bridge ETH or stablecoins to get started with onchain activity.

Step 4: Trade on Nado DEX

Visit the Nado DEX and execute trade perps using your bridged funds. Onchain trading activity on Nado earns Nado points and is also confirmed to be an eligibility criteria for the INK airdrop.

Step 5: Supply or Borrow on Tydro

Go to Tydro and supply assets to earn yield or borrow against collateral. Tydro activity is another confirmed eligibility criteria for the INK airdrop.

Step 6: Explore Featured Apps

Check the Ink homepage for featured dApps, including Velodrome, InkyPump, and GM check-ins. Interact regularly across the ecosystem. Breadth of activity across multiple apps tends to matter more than heavy use of a single one.

Step 7: Register a .ink Domain

Register a .ink domain through ZNS. Owning a domain ties your identity to the Ink ecosystem and adds another qualifying interaction.

Step 8: Send a GM on the Network

Send a GM to another user on Ink. Each GM counts as an additional transaction on the chain, contributing to your overall activity.

Step 9: Deploy a Smart Contract on Ink

Use OnChainGM to deploy a smart contract on Ink. This is a simple one-click deployment that registers a contract interaction on your address.

Step 10: Get the Ink Guild Role

Visit the Guild and complete the requirements to claim your Guild role. Guild roles often serve as eligibility checkpoints for airdrops.

Step 11: Mint the Ink Pass NFT

Sweep has launched public minting for the Ink Pass NFT, offering holders exclusive benefits across the Ink ecosystem. Mint your pass to secure potential additional airdrop eligibility.

Tips for Maximizing $INK Allocation

Prioritize Kraken Pro activity. This is the only confirmed source of Ink points right now. Regular trading on Kraken Pro is your clearest path to eligibility.

Start onchain activity early. With no official task system confirmed for dApp interactions, early users may receive retroactive credit once a program launches.

Use multiple dApps. Rather than sticking to one protocol, spread activity across Nado, Tydro, and Velodrome. Diversified onchain history typically scores better in retroactive distributions.

Keep your wallet active. Wallets with recent, recurring transactions tend to score higher than wallets with one large transaction. Set a cadence and stick to it.

Important Terms

Kraken Drops: Kraken’s airdrop distribution program. Confirmed as the mechanism for any future $INK distribution, targeting active Kraken clients and ecosystem participants.

OP Stack: The open-source software framework used to build Ink (and other chains like Base). Chains built on the OP Stack share infrastructure and are part of the Optimism Superchain.

Points: Ink points are an accumulation metric tied to Kraken Pro trading activity. First distribution is set for April 13, 2026. How points convert to tokens, and whether dApp activity also earns points, has not been announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Will the $INK Token Launch?

No TGE date has been announced. Kraken has confirmed plans for a future $INK airdrop via its Kraken Drops program, but the timeline depends on milestones the team has not yet disclosed.

Is the Ink Airdrop Free to Participate In?

Kraken Pro activity requires trading with real funds, so it’s not entirely cost-free. Onchain activity on Ink mainnet requires bridged ETH for gas, but amounts are minimal given the chain’s low fees.

How Are Ink Points Earned?

Trading on Kraken Pro is the only confirmed method for earning Ink points. The first point drop is scheduled for April 13, 2026. Whether onchain dApp activity earns points has not been confirmed by the Ink team.

Will There Be Future Airdrops Beyond the First?

Kraken has framed $INK distribution as an ongoing program tied to milestones. Based on how Kraken Drops works, multiple distributions over time are possible, though nothing specific has been confirmed.

Do I Need a Kraken Account to Qualify?

Kraken Pro activity is the only confirmed eligibility criterion for Ink points. Onchain wallet activity on Ink mainnet will also play a factor.

Are Nado Users Also Eligible for the INK Airdrop?

Yes, Ink Chain has confirmed that users of Nado, a perpetual DEX on Ink, will also be eligible for the INK token airdrop alongside Tydro participants and general ecosystem users.

Conclusion

The $INK token hasn’t launched and eligibility criteria haven’t been published. What is confirmed: Kraken Pro trading accumulates Ink points, with the first distribution on April 13, 2026. That’s a concrete starting point.

Trade on Kraken Pro, bridge to Ink mainnet, and put some activity across Nado, Tydro, and Velodrome. When eligibility details eventually drop, a history of consistent use across both Kraken and the Ink ecosystem is going to matter more than a single large transaction.

Check out our list of potential retroactive airdrops to stay on top of other opportunities, and read our airdrop farming guide for broader strategies you can apply across the Optimism ecosystem.