[2026 Guide] Kraken’s Nado DEX: How to Qualify for Airdrops & Earn Passive Yield

Introduction: Why Nado is the DeFi Breakout of 2026

Have you heard of the project shaking up the DeFi landscape in 2026? It’s Nado (app.nado.xyz), the flagship decentralized exchange (DEX) built on Ink Network, the Layer 2 blockchain developed by the crypto giant Kraken.

Forget the old narrative that "DEXs are slow, clunky, and expensive." Nado is rewriting the rules.

By combining an off-chain sequencer with on-chain settlement, Nado achieves 5-15ms matching speeds—rivaling top centralized exchanges (CEXs) like Binance or Bybit—while ensuring you retain full custody of your funds. Currently in its Testnet/Alpha phase, Nado presents a massive opportunity for early adopters to position themselves for potential airdrops and rewards.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know: Nado’s killer features, how to bridge funds to Ink, and how to generate passive income with the "NLP" vault.

⚠️ WARNING: Be extremely careful of fake "NADO" tokens currently trading on Uniswap, Solana, or Base. These are likely SCAMS. Nado has not yet generated a token (TGE). Always use the official link: app.nado.xyz.

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Why Nado? 3 Game-Changing Features

① Blazing Fast Execution (CEX Experience)

Traditional AMMs often leave traders waiting seconds for confirmation. Nado uses a high-performance off-chain matching engine that executes trades in 5 milliseconds. Whether you are scalping or placing limit orders, the experience feels exactly like a centralized exchange, but with the security of DeFi.

② Kinetic Collateral (Unified Margin)

This is a massive upgrade for capital efficiency. In most DeFi protocols, you need separate funds for spot and futures trading. Nado introduces Kinetic Collateral, a unified margin system. This means you can use your spot assets (like BTC or ETH) as collateral to open leveraged perpetual positions instantly. Your risk is netted in real-time, allowing you to do more with less capital.

③ The "Kraken" Factor

Trust is the rarest currency in crypto. While many DEXs are run by anonymous teams with high rug-pull risks, Nado is backed by the engineering firepower of Kraken and the Ink Network. This institutional-grade reliability makes it far safer than the typical "degen" plays.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Started on Nado

Getting started requires a Web3 wallet and bridging funds to the Ink Network. Follow these steps to set up in under 5 minutes.

STEP 1: Prepare Your Wallet

You will need an EVM-compatible wallet. MetaMask is the standard choice, but Rabby or Kraken Wallet also work perfectly.

STEP 2: Add Ink Network

When you connect to Nado, it should ask to switch networks automatically. If not, add it manually:

• Network Name: Ink

• RPC URL: https://rpc-gel.inkonchain.com

• Chain ID: 57073

• Currency Symbol: ETH

STEP 3: Bridge Your Funds (Crucial Step)

You need to move ETH or USDC to the Ink chain to trade.

• Official Bridge: inkonchain.com/bridge (Secure, but bridging from Ethereum Mainnet can be pricey due to gas).

• Pro Tip: Use Across Protocol or Brid.gg to bridge directly from other L2s like Arbitrum, Optimism, or Base. It’s faster (seconds) and significantly cheaper.

STEP 4: Connect & Deposit

1. Go to app.nado.xyz.

2. Click "Connect Wallet" in the top right.

3. Enter Invite Code: Use code `7Tvexab` to unlock fee discounts.

4. Click "Deposit" to move your bridged assets into your Nado trading account.

How to Earn: The "NLP" Passive Income Strategy

Not a day trader? You can still profit by becoming the "house" through the NLP (Nado Liquidity Provider) vault.

What is NLP?

NLP is a liquidity pool that acts as the counterparty to traders on the platform. Think of it like GLP on GMX, but for the Ink ecosystem.

• How it works: You deposit USDC into the NLP vault.

• Revenue Source: The vault earns a share of trading fees, spreads from market making, and liquidation penalties from traders who get wrecked.

• Why do it? It offers a "set it and forget it" yield opportunity. Plus, providing liquidity during the testnet phase is often a key criterion for airdrop eligibility.

Strategy: Split your capital. Use 80% for NLP to earn passive yield and points, and use 20% for active trading to generate volume. This covers both bases for a potential future airdrop.

Airdrop Strategy: Don't Miss the Snapshot!

Nado has no token yet, which is the golden signal for airdrop hunters. Looking at history (dYdX, Hyperliquid, Uniswap), early users are often rewarded handsomely.

Action Plan for Maximum Eligibility:

1. Trade Frequently: Volume matters, but frequency proves you aren't a bot. Make trades on both Spot and Perp markets.

2. Use Kinetic Margin: Test the unified margin feature (e.g., hold ETH spot, open a small short on Perp).

3. Provide Liquidity: Deposit into the NLP vault and leave it there for a few weeks.

4. Refer Friends: Generate your own invite link and build your circle.

The window to be an "early adopter" is closing as the mainnet matures.

Conclusion: The Must-Use DEX of 2026

Nado isn't just another fork; it's a vertically integrated powerhouse backed by one of the biggest names in the industry.

• Speed: 5ms execution.

• Efficiency: Unified Margin.

• Opportunity: High potential for Airdrops.

Don't wait until the token is already launched. Start building your on-chain history today.

👉 (https://app.nado.xyz/)

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves high risk. Always do your own research (DYOR).