Kraken Logo PNG
The Kraken logo evokes ancient times, when powerful monsters were more formidable than humans. The emblem symbolizes venerable age, significant opportunities through exchange, and reliable protection for customers.
Kraken was founded in 2011 by Jesse Powell, following his early work in digital economies, including Lewt, Inc., where he traded virtual currencies and in-game assets. His first exposure to Bitcoin came through these markets. In June 2011, Powell traveled to Tokyo following the Mt. Gox hack, which resulted in an $8.75 million loss. Invited as a consultant, he identified structural weaknesses. He decided to build a more secure exchange with Thanh Luu and Michael Gronager.
Kraken was registered on July 28, 2011, under Payward. After two years of development, the platform launched publicly on September 28, 2013, offering trading in Bitcoin and Litecoin against USD and EUR. By January 2014, it had become the global leader in BTC/EUR volume. In March 2014, Kraken raised $5 million from Hummingbird Ventures and Bitcoin Opportunity Fund. In April, its data appeared on Bloomberg terminals, marking entry into institutional visibility.
After the collapse of Mt. Gox in 2014, Kraken assisted in the bankruptcy process. In June 2015, it listed Ethereum ahead of Coinbase and launched a Bitcoin dark pool. In 2016, Kraken acquired Coinsetter, Cavirtex, CleverCoin, and Glidera, expanding internationally. That year, SBI Group led a Series B round. In 2017, Cryptowatch was acquired, and user growth peaked during the crypto boom.
In September 2020, Kraken obtained a banking license in Wyoming and launched Kraken Financial. In 2023, Powell stepped down as CEO and was replaced by Dave Ripley, while remaining chairman. By January 2026, the platform served over 12 million users and expanded partnerships, including with Williams Racing.
Meaning and History
Users know Kraken as a global exchange with many tools for professionals and beginners, and as a concept project with an unusual logo. Its main graphic symbol illustrates the name, which was taken from Icelandic myths. As you know, the Kraken is a fictional creature, a sea monster that destroys ships in the open ocean. The designers depicted it as an abstract silhouette and added a wordmark.
It is not clear why the virtual currency exchange service chose this name. Perhaps he wanted to finally “sink” Mt.Gox to take its place in the cryptocurrency market. Or maybe it was an attempt to demonstrate its unsinkability, since a mythical monster could drag even the largest ship carrying an experienced crew.
What is Kraken?
It is an influential crypto exchange founded in 2011 and launched in 2013. It replaced Mt. Gox and helped traders recover their funds after that bitcoin exchange went bankrupt. Its headquarters are in San Francisco, California. Its main purpose is trading between fiat and cryptocurrencies.
Despite the intimidating meaning of the word “Kraken,” the artists did not render the company’s name in horror style. They used abstract geometric shapes, and what they ended up with bears little resemblance to the legendary monster. If not for the signature below, no one would have even guessed that this is a Kraken. A semicircle with projections is more like a hair comb, which, for some reason, does not have serrations or the tip of a child’s fork with four round teeth.
In any case, there are no associations with a real Kraken, because the designers did not intend to scare anyone. The lack of corners suggests the exchange sought to instill confidence in traders. This psychological technique works on a subconscious level.
Font and Colors
Below the graphic is the cryptocurrency exchange’s name. The letterforms are reminiscent of a range of free and paid fonts, including Protestant DGL Regular by Digital Graphic Labs and Yoxall Regular by Roger White. Other similar typefaces include Foundation Sans Roman from FontSite Inc. and FreeSans Medium from the GNU FreeFont Project. They share similar glyphs, although there are slight differences. It is noteworthy that “K” in the Kraken logo is uppercase, while all other characters are lowercase, even though they are the same size.
The abstract drawing and lettering are combined in color. The designers made them purple using the hex code #5841D8. It is dark enough to stand out clearly against a white background.
FAQ
What is the Kraken trade symbol?
Kraken’s trade symbol is KRKNF. This symbol trades the brand’s stock on the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Investors can find stock prices, news, quotes, and historical data for KRKNF on financial platforms like Yahoo Finance.
Kraken is a well-known cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to trade a wide range of cryptocurrencies. Due to the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies, the brand has gained attention in the financial market. Trading under the symbol KRKNF allows investors to invest in a leading cryptocurrency exchange.
By following KRKNF on platforms like Yahoo Finance, investors can stay up to date on the latest news, stock price movements, and historical performance.
What is a Kraken symbol for Bitcoin?
Kraken uses the symbol “BTC” for Bitcoin in most cases. This change took effect on April 26th, 2021. The “BTC” symbol is widely recognized and used in the cryptocurrency community.
Kraken still uses “XBT” for certain functions. “XBT” is used for the API, Futures API, log downloads, the OTC desk, and History Exports. This keeps consistency across different platforms while using “BTC” for most purposes.
Is Kraken a bank?
The company is not a traditional bank but obtained a state-chartered banking license in Wyoming in 2020. This license allows the brand to offer certain banking services. Kraken Institutional operates under this license, providing institutional custody services.
The Wyoming banking license helps the brand bridge the gap between cryptocurrency and traditional finance. It enables the company to offer enhanced services, such as custody solutions for the secure storage of digital assets, which are important to institutional investors.
Kraken primarily functions as a cryptocurrency exchange, but the banking license adds regulatory compliance and trust. This allows the brand to offer more comprehensive financial services, attracting a broader range of clients, including large institutional investors.
What does the Kraken logo mean?
The logo features the legendary sea monster, the Kraken, in an abstract form resembling a hairbrush. This design choice intentionally avoided a scary image, making the logo more approachable and trustworthy.
The abstract design conveys a sense of mystery and power without being intimidating. This aligns with the brand’s goal of attracting and reassuring users, emphasizing security and innovation in the cryptocurrency space. The logo subtly conveys the brand’s strength and depth while maintaining a friendly, professional look.
This balance builds a positive brand image, appealing to users seeking a reliable, secure platform for their cryptocurrency needs.
Does Kraken have a stock symbol?
Kraken has no stock symbol because it is an exchange platform, not a token or cryptocurrency. As a cryptocurrency exchange, he facilitates the buying, selling, and trading of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The brand is not publicly traded, so it does not need a stock symbol. It supports trading cryptocurrencies with their symbols, such as BTC for Bitcoin and ETH for Ethereum.
The brand focuses on providing a secure and efficient platform for cryptocurrency trading. It offers a range of services and tools for both individual and institutional investors. It is a popular choice in the cryptocurrency market but remains privately held and does not issue its own publicly traded stock.
What is the font of the Kraken logo?
The logo uses a custom set of lowercase, sans-serif glyphs for a modern, clean look. While the exact font is custom-made, similar fonts include FreeSans Medium from the GNU FreeFont Project, Foundation Sans Roman from FontSite Inc., Yoxall Regular from Roger White, and Protestant DGL Regular from Digital Graphic Labs. These fonts share clean lines and a sans-serif style.
This custom font choice conveys simplicity and modernity. The lowercase letters contribute to an approachable and straightforward image.