Kraken has introduced a high-touch, invitation-only VIP program targeting ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs). The program defines UHNWIs as clients with at least $30 million in investable assets, with eligibility typically including a minimum average balance of $10 million or an annual trading volume near $80 million. The offering is positioned for large-scale digital-asset holders seeking bespoke service and institutional-grade execution.
Program features and client experience
The VIP package pairs accepted clients with a dedicated specialist relationship manager and provides continuous priority support to manage complex trading and custody needs. Onboarding is tailored, combining one-on-one analyst sessions that review macro and market dynamics with bespoke portfolio planning aimed at large transfers and sophisticated allocation into digital assets. Members receive early access to the platform’s full product suite and bespoke reporting tools, while curated experiential benefits and selective networking events are offered to reinforce client engagement and product feedback channels.
Compliance, custody, liquidity and market positioning
Security and market-impact management are central to the program’s operational design. Custody employs advanced controls including multi-signature protocols and cold storage to protect assets, and dedicated liquidity solutions are available for substantial orders via OTC desks and private liquidity pools to limit slippage. Multi-signature is a cryptographic control requiring multiple independent approvals to authorize a transfer. Cold storage denotes offline retention of private keys to reduce exposure to online compromise. An OTC desk is a non-exchange trading facility used for large, negotiated transactions outside public order books.
The service emphasises an institutional posture toward compliance and risk mitigation, framing bespoke account controls and reporting as tools to mitigate operational risk and the potential for illicit-funds exposure within high-value flows. Product pathways described for VIP clients include structured yield strategies, discretionary features and lending arrangements designed to preserve liquidity while avoiding forced disposals.
Acceptance into the program is selective, with capacity intentionally limited and review criteria weighing quantitative thresholds alongside engagement and transfer potential. The product is positioned as a bridge between traditional private-wealth expectations and digital-asset capabilities, aimed at clients who allocate significant portions of alternative holdings to cryptocurrencies. VIP members are also invited to influence product development through direct feedback mechanisms, effectively integrating client-led refinements into the platform roadmap.
Kraken’s high-touch VIP program concentrates resources on a narrow, high-value client segment by combining bespoke advisory, enhanced custody, and tailored liquidity solutions. For custodians, exchanges, and issuers, the program signals growing demand for segmented, compliance-focused services that mirror private-banking standards within crypto and raises expectations for robust controls and tailored execution for large accounts. Next verified milestone: confirmation of geographic rollout and formal disclosures on compliance controls and auditability.
