Ink Chain Airdrop Guide: How to Improve Your Eligibility Step by Step

Kraken's Ink Chain airdrop is officially confirmed, and the window to build eligibility is still open — but not indefinitely. 

The INK token, with a fixed supply of 1 billion, is expected to distribute between July and September 2026 based on statements from PonziTrader, a confirmed advisor to both Ink Chain and Nado. 

Kraken Pro activity already counts toward Ink points, with the first point drop hitting on April 13, 2026. If you haven't started yet, now is the time — Tydro's Season 2 is actively accumulating until TGE.

Ink is a Layer 2 blockchain built by Kraken on the OP Stack, and it's already pulling real numbers. TVL climbed from $7 million in October 2025 to nearly $450 million by early 2026. Protocol app revenue went from $500,000 monthly to $5.77 million in January 2026 alone. 

This isn't a ghost chain — people are using it, and those users are the ones who will likely get rewarded.

Key Takeaways

• Kraken Pro trading is the only confirmed path to Ink points right now, with the first point distribution scheduled for April 13, 2026.
• Tydro Season 2 is live and accumulating points until TGE, making it the highest-priority onchain action for INK airdrop eligibility.
• Nado DEX users are confirmed to receive INK tokens, meaning trading perps on Ink gives you dual eligibility — for both the INK and a potential Nado token airdrop.

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Step 1: Set Up Kraken Pro and Start Trading

Create a verified Kraken account and switch to Kraken Pro. This is the only officially confirmed method to earn Ink points right now. The first point batch drops on April 13, 2026, and ongoing trading activity will continue to accumulate points. 

Consistency beats one-time volume — regular trading across multiple sessions builds a stronger eligibility signal than a single large trade. Kraken users can also withdraw ETH directly to the Ink network at zero fee, which removes one step before going onchain.

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Step 2: Bridge ETH to Ink Mainnet

Head to inkonchain.com and bridge ETH or USDC to Ink mainnet using the official bridge or a third-party option like Rhino Bridge. ETH is the gas token on Ink, and fees typically run below one cent per transaction — one of the lowest in the OP Stack ecosystem. 

Testnet activity does not count for eligibility, so this step requires real funds. Once bridged, your wallet becomes active onchain and every subsequent interaction adds to your transaction history.

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Step 3: Supply and Borrow on Tydro

Tydro is Ink's native lending protocol, built on Aave v3, and it is the most direct confirmed path to the INK airdrop for onchain participants. Season 1 points are locked after a completed snapshot, but Season 2 is actively live and accumulating until TGE. 

Connect your wallet, navigate to the Supply section, deposit ETH or stablecoins, and keep your position active. Borrowing is now also incentivized with points — a recent update that makes Tydro participation even more valuable. Track your accumulated points through Merkl.

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Step 4: Trade Perps on Nado DEX

Nado is a perpetual DEX built natively on Ink, and Ink Chain has explicitly confirmed that Nado users will receive INK tokens. 

Interacting with Nado also qualifies for a potential separate Nado token distribution — a two-for-one setup that makes it one of the highest-ROI actions in the ecosystem. 

Open positions using USDC, USDT, kBTC, or WETH. Holding kBTC while trading perps lets you maintain Bitcoin exposure without sitting out of the activity requirements.

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Step 5: Stack Additional Onchain Actions

Breadth of activity tends to matter in retroactive distributions. Beyond Tydro and Nado, register a .ink domain via ZNS to tie your identity to the ecosystem. Mint the Ink Pass NFT via Sweep — holders get zero platform fees and priority for future minting events. 

Send a GM on the network, deploy a smart contract through OnChainGM (single click, minimal gas), and claim your Guild role by completing the requirements on the Guild platform. Each of these adds a distinct interaction type to your wallet history.

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Conclusion

The Ink Chain airdrop is one of the few confirmed L2 distributions still open for active farming in 2026. 

With Kraken's 10 million-user base as the distribution funnel and a fixed 1 billion INK supply, positioning early across multiple eligibility tracks — Kraken Pro trading, Tydro Season 2, Nado DEX, and onchain actions — gives you the best shot at a meaningful allocation. 

The TGE window of July–September 2026 is close enough that time spent building activity now converts directly into eligibility. Consistent, multi-protocol activity beats any single large deposit.

FAQ

Is the Ink Chain airdrop confirmed?

Yes. Ink Chain has officially confirmed the INK airdrop, with Nado and Tydro users explicitly named as recipients. PonziTrader, an advisor to both projects, stated the distribution is expected between July and September 2026.

How do I earn Ink points on Kraken Pro?

Simply trade on Kraken Pro with a verified account. Ongoing trading activity accumulates points. The first point batch was distributed on April 13, 2026, and accumulation continues with each subsequent trading session.

What is Tydro and why does it matter for INK eligibility?

Tydro is Ink's native lending and borrowing protocol built on Aave v3. Supplying and borrowing assets on Tydro earns points directly tied to the INK airdrop. Season 1 is closed, but Season 2 is live and running until TGE — new participants can still start accumulating now.

Does Nado trading count toward the INK airdrop?

Yes, confirmed. Trading perps on Nado earns you eligibility for the INK airdrop and positions you for a potential separate Nado token distribution — making it one of the most efficient actions in the Ink ecosystem.

What is the total INK token supply?

INK has a fixed hard cap of 1 billion tokens with no mechanism to increase supply through governance. It is a utility token for Ink's DeFi ecosystem — not a governance token for the L2 itself, which remains governed by the Optimism Collective.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed belong exclusively to the author and do not reflect the views of this platform. This platform and its affiliates disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy or suitability of the information provided. It is for informational purposes only and not intended as financial or investment advice.