Kraken launched a new earn product called the Bitcoin Vault on May 26, 2026, to help users generate rewards [1].

The move allows long-term Bitcoin holders to earn passive income without selling their assets. By integrating decentralized finance (DeFi) strategies directly into the exchange platform, Kraken is attempting to capture a larger share of the yield-seeking market [2, 3].

The Bitcoin Vault enables users to generate BTC-denominated rewards while maintaining their exposure to the price of Bitcoin [1, 2]. This structure is designed for investors who wish to grow their holdings through yield, rather than relying solely on market appreciation [3].

Kraken is expanding its suite of yield-generating products to compete with other major exchanges and DeFi protocols [2, 3]. The platform provides these tools to simplify the process of earning rewards, which often requires complex manual interactions with smart contracts in a purely decentralized environment [1].

Users can access the Bitcoin Vault through Kraken's online exchange platform [1, 3]. The product targets those looking for a more streamlined way to engage with DeFi strategies while keeping their assets within a centralized exchange ecosystem [2].

“Kraken launched a new earn product called the Bitcoin Vault”

The introduction of the Bitcoin Vault reflects a broader trend of centralized exchanges absorbing DeFi functionality to attract users who want the returns of decentralized finance without the technical complexity. By offering BTC-denominated rewards, Kraken is positioning itself to retain assets that might otherwise migrate to native DeFi protocols.