Kraken's IPO Ambitions and DeFi Expansion
Kraken, eager to go public, is extending its reach into DeFi. A recent rumor claims that Kraken is purchasing Aave (AAVE) tokens at a 70% discount. While some interpreted this as Kraken directly buying project tokens at a steep discount, it is more likely that Kraken is acquiring institutional holdings via OTC or secondary market transactions to build a substantial DeFi position at a low cost.
This move aligns with Kraken's IPO timeline. By holding major DeFi tokens, Kraken can strengthen its balance sheet and demonstrate its commitment to the crypto ecosystem to regulators. Aave, as the leading lending protocol, is a natural target.
Kraken has not officially commented yet, but the market reacted positively, with AAVE price showing notable volatility. If the acquisition rumor is confirmed, Kraken's pre-IPO DeFi positioning will significantly enhance its influence in the DeFi sector.

