Kraken integrates Solana on-chain trading into mobile app

Top crypto exchange, Kraken, has launched on-chain trading via its mobile app for almost 2,500 Solana-based tokens, giving users in the United States and over 100 other countries access to trading digital assets on the Solana DEX without requiring a new wallet.

The exchange is using embedded wallet infrastructure from Privy and will route the trades through Solana decentralized exchange protocols, according to the exchange’s announcement. Users can buy and sell tokens using USD or USDC, and on-chain holdings show up alongside their existing centralized exchange balances in a single portfolio view.

Marrying centralized and decentralized

Most tokens launched on the Solana blockchain do not make it to centralized exchange listings and are traded purely on-chain, with communities forming quickly around them and relatively short lifespans. Users have to set up fresh wallets with new seed phrases, and bridge assets between chains while handling gas fees just to access and trade these decentralized assets. This process filters out most interested users, as they do not possess the technical know-how to operate such.

Kraken’s integration eases this process for its customers, all while keeping the trading on-chain and decentralized. The exchange stated in its announcement that trading remains totally dependent on the user, and Kraken does not hold users’ private keys or the assets themselves.

Transactions are executed through third-party DEX protocols, with Kraken only serving as a platform and not in control of execution, order fill timing, or price.

“Buying, holding, and selling crypto should feel simple, even when the technology behind it is powerful,” said Kamo Asatryan, Chief Data Officer of Payward and Global Head of Consumer, in the blog post. “No one should feel intimidated by bridges, gas fees, or other technical barriers to using on-chain markets.”

Kraken stresses caution, plans further expansion

Kraken has emphasized that traders should still be cautious and stated the limitations of the new service. The exchange mentioned that tokens available through the DEX integration have not been reviewed or approved by Kraken itself, and inclusion of any tokens as tradeable is not an endorsement or recommendation for investment.

The disclosure warned that token prices are volatile, and users can lose their entire investment. The feature is also not classified as a regulated financial product.

Solana is the first supported network for the tap-and-trade service on the exchange’s mobile app. The exchange said it plans to expand to additional blockchains over time but did not name specific chains or provide a timeline.

The new move positions Kraken alongside competitors like Coinbase, which has been expanding its own on-chain and wallet offerings, with an increasing demand among centralized exchange users for DEX access and trading globally.

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