4 simple steps: How to get listed on Kraken

In this blog, we would like to share the details of how we decide which tokens to list and give yours the best chance to join the 250+ cryptoassets we currently have on the platform.

Let’s get into the trenches and share insights into what we look for in the assets we list at Kraken.

The four-step listing process overview:

1. You apply: You fill out our asset listing application form
2. We evaluate: We’ll use an array of data points to analyze each application on it’s own merits
3. Kraken Legal approval and prep: We handle the listing review, compliance sign-off and engineering development ahead of your listing
4. Token launch: We support and promote your launch, and then monitor liquidity and volume to check everything is working as expected

Now, let’s drill down and see what each step entails.

Step 1: You apply via our asset listing application form

Regardless of whether you’ve already launched a token or you’re planning your token generation event (TGE), your first step is to fill out our application form.

Completion of the form is designed to make sure we have all the information we need to make next steps go as smoothly as possible, helping us expedite the listing process for tokens that meet our listing criteria.

There aren’t any shortcuts: we only consider assets that are submitted via the application form.

We review all applications that are submitted and aim to provide a response to teams within two weeks. This isn’t always possible as we receive hundreds of applications each month, so please be patient.

Things that speed up applications	Things that slow down applications
Providing as much detail as possible in your application, including: – Token utility and tokenomics – Onchain metrics to highlight growth and potential – Link to your onchain contract – Details of your TGE plan (if applicable) – Your details (more on this later)	– Submitting multiple applications for the same asset – Spamming the team on Twitter for updates – Getting your VC, influencer friends or a B-list celebrity to try to push us to list (yes, all of these have happened)

Step 2: We evaluate your application

We take both a qualitative and quantitative approach to token evaluation. In our initial review, we’re evaluating everything, including the team, technicals, fundamentals, the project’s community and its governance structures.

Evaluation parameters

We also have certain red lines we won’t cross. This is to protect our clients and ensure that we provide a stellar client experience, as well as making sure we remain compliant with applicable regulations across the jurisdictions we serve.

What happens after my application is reviewed? 

Once it’s reviewed, we’ll get in touch to let you know whether your application was successful.

• If it was, your asset will be automatically added to our private, provisional listing backlog. (Note: being on the provisional listing backlog is not a guarantee of listing).

• If your application was not successful, we’ll get in touch to provide feedback. You can reapply in three months.

Step 3: The internal listing process at Kraken

We know this is typically the step that can be most frustrating for a project team. If a centralized exchange has an opaque review process, it can feel like people you don’t know are deciding your fate according to evaluation criteria you also don’t know. This is why we’re as open as possible about what goes on once you’ve submitted your cryptoasset for review. 

This is the stage with the most steps. It generally takes 2-6 weeks from a token’s addition to our provisional list to its listing day on the exchange. It can take longer, depending on several factors, including development complexity.

Our internal approval process is also split into 4 stages:

1. Listing review
2. The Kraken Listing Committee
3. Legal & compliance sign-off
4. Development

This section will cover stages 1-3.

1. Listing review

We take all the information we gathered in our initial asset evaluation and create a much more detailed asset review document with our category scoring, details of the project and our recommendation to list your token. This asset review document is then shared with the Kraken Listing Committee (KLC) for their review and approval. 

2. The Kraken Listing Committee 

The KLC is an elite team of business leaders and crypto OGs within Kraken, who bring a unique set of skills and perspectives to each asset review. 

The committee reviews each listing and then the committee members vote. If the majority of the committee supports the listing, we move forward. Why do we go to all this trouble for every listing? Two words: fairness and integrity.

If your token is approved by the KLC, it will be added to our Listings Roadmap where we publicly announce to the world that we’re getting ready to list your token. (Note: Being on the Listings Roadmap is not a guarantee of listing).

3. Legal and Compliance sign-off 

Once approved for listing by the KLC, our Legal and Compliance teams perform an in-depth review. It includes legal reviews for each country we operate in so that we ensure we remain compliant with all applicable laws and regulations specific to each country we serve.

Why does Kraken’s Compliance team need to approve the asset?

Our mission is to spread crypto adoption around the world, and in order to do that we need to keep our seat at the table by complying with the rules and regulations set by each country in order to operate lawfully. We try to go above and beyond by making sure we list only the best projects.

4. Development 

While these legal and compliance reviews are taking place, we’ll kick-start the work with our engineering teams to identify the on-chain contract, establish funding methods and get everything ready for launch.

If you’re on an unsupported chain then we will need to build gateways and nodes to connect to that chain. This will likely increase the time until listing day. The more complex or novel the chain, the longer this can take. 

Step 4: Listing Day!

Now we’re ready to launch your token on Kraken! In the run-up to your listing date, we’ll coordinate with your market makers (MMs) and post on social media and across our various marketing channels, to make sure as many people as possible are aware of your listing on Kraken.

Using MMs helps with market liquidity, driving volume and better price discovery. It is one of the first steps toward creating a healthy trading market for a specific token.

Going forward, we’ll monitor your asset pairs on Kraken. We’ll be looking at volume, liquidity and spread to gauge how the market is performing.

The listing process is important to us, because we believe that the builders are the lifeforce of crypto. Our mission at Kraken is to accelerate the adoption of cryptocurrency around the world in order to promote financial freedom and inclusion. We couldn’t do that without the support of the projects and teams pushing the industry forward. So, builders, click below and take the first step toward getting your cryptoasset listed on Kraken!