Kraken integrates Upshift custom vaults into qualified custody, enabling institutional yield across 30+ chains.
DeFi & Yields ·
Kraken Institutional has integrated custom yield vaults from Upshift into its qualified custody offering, enabling institutional clients to earn yield on idle Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins across more than 30 blockchain networks. The vaults are built to operate within Kraken's regulated custody framework, allowing institutional investors to access yield-generating strategies without moving assets off the exchange's platform. The partnership combines Upshift's vault infrastructure with Kraken's custody and compliance capabilities, positioning the offering as a means for institutions to deploy idle capital across multiple chains while maintaining regulatory oversight.
The integration marks an expansion of Kraken's institutional product suite, which has increasingly focused on yield and DeFi access alongside core trading and custody services. By embedding Upshift vaults into qualified custody, Kraken reduces friction for institutions seeking yield exposure—eliminating the need to move funds to external protocols or non-custodial platforms. The 30+ chain coverage suggests broad protocol and network support, though the specific blockchain breakdown and yield mechanics remain undisclosed.
It is not yet clear whether the vaults will be offered to retail clients, what performance fees or minimum allocations apply, or how yield generation differs across the supported chains.