Kraken replaces LayerZero with Chainlink CCIP to secure kBTC and wrapped assets

The migration makes Chainlink CCIP Kraken’s exclusive cross chain infrastructure for kBTC and future wrapped assets across DeFi.

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Add us on Google by Estefano Gomez May. 14, 2026

Kraken is replacing LayerZero with Chainlink’s Cross Chain Interoperability Protocol as the exclusive cross-chain infrastructure for kBTC and future Kraken Wrapped Assets, marking another major migration toward Chainlink’s interoperability stack.

Kraken is deprecating its existing cross-chain provider and migrating to @Chainlink CCIP as its exclusive cross-chain infra to secure Kraken Wrapped Bitcoin (kBTC) & all future Kraken Wrapped Assets.

Kraken chose Chainlink CCIP because it offers enterprise-grade infrastructure…

— Kraken (@krakenfx) May 14, 2026

The move will shift Kraken’s wrapped asset infrastructure across Ink, Ethereum, Unichain, and Optimism, with more chains expected to follow. Kraken said kBTC customers do not need to take any action, adding that more details on the migration process will be shared through official Kraken channels.

The decision comes as wrapped assets and bridge infrastructure remain one of crypto’s most closely watched security risks. The $292 million Kelp DAO exploit in April put renewed attention on cross chain security and accelerated a broader migration toward Chainlink CCIP by protocols including Kelp, Solv, and Re.

Kraken launched kBTC as a wrapped Bitcoin product backed 1:1 by native Bitcoin held at Kraken Financial, its Wyoming-chartered special purpose depository institution. The asset is designed to make Bitcoin usable across DeFi as collateral, liquidity, and settlement infrastructure while remaining redeemable for BTC through Kraken.

Chainlink CCIP will support the movement of Kraken Wrapped Assets through Chainlink’s Cross Chain Token standard. The infrastructure includes independent node operators, native rate limits, and risk controls designed to reduce exposure to bridge-related failures.

Kraken’s decision also extends Chainlink’s role from institutional capital markets infrastructure into crypto-native wrapped asset distribution.

“We’re proud to be working with Kraken on their migration to Chainlink CCIP to secure all Kraken Wrapped Assets. Kraken’s unwavering commitment to uncompromising security aligns perfectly with principles that shaped CCIP’s architecture.”

“By deprecating its legacy infrastructure and adopting CCIP, Kraken is ensuring its assets can move seamlessly across networks while maintaining the institutional-grade security that enterprises require to bring significant capital,” Johann Eid, Chief Business Officer at Chainlink Labs, said in a statement.

The migration also builds on Kraken’s recent push to expand kBTC across multiple networks. Kraken previously made kBTC available across Ethereum, Optimism, Ink, and Unichain as part of a broader effort to bring Bitcoin liquidity into DeFi.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.