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Kraken launches VIP program requiring $10 million balance as exchange targets wealthy crypto traders
Kraken has launched a VIP program targeting ultra-wealthy cryptocurrency traders, requiring either a $10 million average balance or $80 million in annual trading volume for membership.
The new tier, announced this week, provides members with dedicated relationship managers, early access to product launches, and invitations to exclusive events including Formula 1 races and private gatherings with industry figures. The program comes as the San Francisco-based exchange prepares for a potential 2026 initial public offering.
At the heart of the Kraken VIP Program is a concierge-style model designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, active traders and institutional allocators seeking bespoke support.
Co-CEO Arjun Sethi underscored the program’s ambition during a press briefing, noting that Kraken designed the tier specifically to match the expectations of clients operating at scale.
Ultra high-net-worth clients don’t come to us for speed alone; they come because they expect a partner who understands what true scale looks like, said Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO of Kraken.
The Kraken VIP Program was built for them — it delivers unprecedented access, influence, and an improved experience that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the digital-asset ecosystem.
Membership in the Kraken Vip Program requires either a $10 million average balance or $80 million in annual trading volume, placing the tier firmly in luxury-service territory.
The program also grants VIPs early access to upcoming features, strategic product launches and direct lines into Kraken’s liquidity, custody, engineering and infrastructure teams.
The Kraken VIPs Program isn’t just about trading benefits — it’s also positioning itself as an exclusive lifestyle gateway.
VIP members will receive invitations to curated events including Formula 1 races, major football matches, cultural gatherings, and private meet-ups with top figures in crypto and finance.
Kraken says these experiences are designed to “deepen relationships and create long-term value” for high-end clients.
Industry analysts note that major exchanges have been racing to expand premium offerings. Binance recently launched a similar “prestige tier” for individuals with at least $10 million in net worth.
But the Kraken VIP Program distinguishes itself by integrating product access, expert support and experiential perks into a single, high-end framework.
The rollout of the Kraken VIP Program follows another headline move: Kraken’s acquisition of Backed Finance, a tokenization platform specializing in real-world asset-backed tokens, including stock and ETF representations.
Kraken has already listed several of Backed’s tokens, and executives say the acquisition will accelerate integration and enhance liquidity for tokenized assets.
Sethi emphasized Kraken’s long-term commitment to tokenization in a recent interview.
While everyone is talking about tokenized equities, we are just doing it, Sethi said. “We are focused on long-term investment, not hype”.
The Kraken VIP Program also comes at a time when the exchange is quietly preparing for a potential 2026 IPO, following its confidential SEC filing and a funding round that boosted its valuation to $20 billion.
Founded in 2011, Kraken remains one of the industry’s oldest exchanges — and the Kraken Program signals that it wants to move into its next phase with momentum, precision and strong appeal to the world’s wealthiest crypto participants.
The Kraken VIP Program is emerging as one of the boldest moves in the race for ultra-wealthy crypto clients, signaling Kraken’s intent to dominate premium digital-asset services.
With an IPO on the horizon and tokenization bets accelerating, the Kraken Program positions the exchange as a frontrunner reshaping what elite access and innovation truly mean in modern crypto finance.
