بلاگ

Navigate crypto at a glance with category indices

Under the hood, we’ve designed 14 broad asset categories, from Layer 1 and DeFi to Gaming and Meme Coins, each represented by a dedicated “index.” Using the CF DACS Digital Asset Classification Structure, we’ve built a simplified taxonomy to group similar assets together.

Within each category index, you’ll see overlay charts showing 1-day, 1-week, 1-month, 3-months, and 1-year percentage changes. This snapshot helps you quickly spot whether a sector is bullish, bearish, or range-bound. For example, if Layer 2 coins show upward momentum in the past 24 hours, you can drill down to see which specific tokens are driving momentum.

Digging deeper: Category index markets

Curious which assets power a specific category index? Just click into it to view the individual assets and their percentage weights by market cap. For instance, in Layer 1, you’ll find big names like Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA), each contributing to the overall index performance. If you spot an individual token outperforming its peers, you can easily jump over to its dedicated trade page.

Info: Index pricing and categorization are provided by CF Benchmarks, a leading regulated digital assets index provider.

Visualize market sentiment with the heatmap

Pictures speak louder than numbers. Our new heatmap feature translates performance data into a color-coded grid. Shades of green indicate positive price changes, while red signals negative movement. Lighter tones reflect bigger moves, and darker tones represent smaller fluctuations. You can even configure the area each category (or asset) takes up on the grid by relative market cap or Kraken trading volume.

• Category Indices Heatmap: Visualize how each category index (e.g., DeFi, Layer 2, Payment & Value, etc.) is faring relative to others.
• Category Index Markets Heatmap: Dive into a single category’s inner workings. Track each constituent asset’s 24H performance in an instantly scannable layout.

If you see a bright green box in a sea of neutrals, that might indicate a breakout asset in a dull market — an opportunity to research further.

Filter and sort 1,200+ market pairs in the new table

For the final layer of detail, the Markets tab includes a screening tool listing all available pairs on Kraken Pro. You can:

• Customize columns See price, 24H price change, 24H volume, futures funding, price sparklines and more
• Sort each column to surface top gainers, biggest volume movers, or easily scan for high or low prices.
• Filter by quote currency (USD, EUR, BTC, etc.), token ecosystems (e.g., Ethereum, Cosmos, Solana), or even “Hot” markets—those with the highest percentage volume change in the last 24 hours 

Auto-filter from Indices: If you’re already viewing a category index or its heatmap, the table below displays only the relevant markets in that category.

Whenever you spot a pair you want to trade, simply click on it (either from the heatmap or the table) to jump straight into its Trade page on Kraken Pro—no extra steps required.

How traders can use the Markets tab to seize opportunities

1. Spot sector-wide trends: Are payments tokens on the rise? Is Layer 2 showing a sudden price shift? By checking each Category Index, you can tell if a broader sector is bullish or if isolated assets are outperforming.
2. Drill down to the best performer: Once you identify a hot category, quickly pivot to the Category Index Markets or the heatmap to zero in on the top movers.
3. Filter out the noise: With over 1,200 pairs, focusing on what matters can be a challenge. Use the table’s filter and sort features to surface exactly what you’re interested in—like high-volume altcoin trades or stablecoin pairs with unusual price action.
4. Seamless transition to trading: Found something worth trading? A single click on the market pair takes you straight to the Kraken Pro trade page. In fast-moving markets, speed is everything.

Take the market pulse at a glance

Crypto doesn’t stand still; neither should your analysis tools. Our new Markets tab is designed to help you cut through complexity, discover hidden gems, and move on opportunities faster. Dive into sector-wide insights, visualize performance in a single glance, and execute trades seamlessly—all within Kraken Pro.

Custom Networks let users add new EVM-compatible blockchain networks to their crypto wallets, expanding access beyond official options. This allows exploration of new projects, DeFi, and personal blockchain setups. However, users must be cautious of security risks and potential issues with unreliable RPC endpoints. Custom networks offer flexibility but need careful management for safety and smooth use.

Click here to learn how to add a Custom Networks to your CoolWallet, expanding access beyond official options now!

Content

What Is Custom Network

Crypto wallets typically support only a limited number of blockchains due to resource constraints. The Custom Network feature allows users to manually add any EVM-compatible chain by entering key information like the network name, chain ID, and RPC URL. This flexibility enables users to interact with a wider range of blockchain networks beyond those officially supported by their wallet.

What Is an EVM-Compatible Chain

In simple terms, EVM compatibility means a blockchain can run the same smart contracts as Ethereum. An EVM-compatible chain is a blockchain that works with the Ethereum Virtual Machine, allowing it to execute Ethereum-based smart contracts without needing any changes. These blockchains are built to function like Ethereum, meaning that decentralized applications (dApps) created for Ethereum can easily be deployed on them.

Click here to learn more about EVM-Compatible Chains.

What Is the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)

The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) mentioned above acts as the engine that powers the Ethereum blockchain. It is a global, decentralized computer that executes smart contracts—self-executing programs that automatically follow pre-set conditions. The EVM ensures these contracts run the same way on all nodes, guaranteeing that results are predictable and consistent across the network.

Why Is Custom Network Important

Back to the topic, adding custom networks to crypto wallets provides several key benefits:

• Access to New Blockchain Ecosystems: Users can easily add new, trending EVM-compatible networks to their wallet, exploring new projects, DeFi platforms, and NFTs. This increases the chances of participating in airdrops or early investment opportunities.
• Support for Unofficial Networks: Users can add networks that their wallet doesn’t officially support yet, granting early access to new and promising blockchains.
• User-Built Networks: Developers and advanced users can add and test their own blockchain networks, enabling them to manage and interact with custom decentralized applications (dApps) securely.

In short, custom networks give users the flexibility to explore new opportunities and experiment with innovative blockchain solutions.

Key Components of a Custom Network

When adding a custom network, several key components are required to ensure smooth functionality:

• Network Name: The identifiable name of the custom network, used for recognition within the wallet.
• Chain ID: A unique identifier that helps differentiate the custom network from other EVM-compatible chains, preventing transaction errors.
• RPC URL: The Remote Procedure Call (RPC) URL enables communication between the wallet and the blockchain, facilitating transaction processing and data retrieval.
• Symbol (Native Token Name): Each custom network has its own native token (like ETH on Ethereum), used for transaction fees and gas.
• Explorer URL: An optional link to a block explorer, where users can track transactions, check balances, and view blockchain activity.

These elements enable users to add and interact with custom networks in their crypto wallets effectively.

Why Is Custom Network Important While Choosing a Cold Wallet

When selecting a cold wallet, like CoolWallet Pro, the ability to add a custom network is crucial for several reasons:

• Flexibility: Custom network support allows users to store assets from a broader range of blockchains, including newer or less mainstream networks, ensuring they are prepared for future developments.
• Security: Cold wallets store private keys offline, providing an extra layer of security for assets on custom networks, protecting them from online threats and hacks.
• Future-Proofing: As blockchain technology evolves, having the option to add custom networks ensures that users can adopt new networks without having to switch wallets.
• Advanced User Needs: For developers and power users, custom network support allows secure access and interaction with personal or niche blockchain networks while benefiting from the high security of offline storage.

In summary, choosing a cold wallet with custom network capabilities ensures users can securely manage their assets across a broader range of blockchain networks while staying flexible and future-ready.

Challenges of Custom Networks

While adding custom networks offers flexibility, there are also some challenges:

• Security Risks: Custom networks can introduce security vulnerabilities, especially if they haven’t been thoroughly vetted. It’s crucial to only connect to trusted networks.
• Malicious Network Providers: Untrusted networks can provide false blockchain data (e.g., incorrect balances or transaction statuses) and may track your online activity. Always verify the legitimacy of a network before adding it to your wallet.
• Unstable RPC Endpoints: Reliable blockchain access depends on the RPC Endpoint. If it’s unstable, users may experience issues viewing balances or making transactions. In such cases, switching or updating the RPC Endpoint in the wallet settings may be necessary.

In summary, managing custom networks requires care and attention to ensure security and smooth operation.

Conclusion

Custom Networks play an important role in the blockchain ecosystem, providing flexibility and opportunities for users to explore new projects and manage their assets across various blockchains. However, it’s essential to approach custom networks with caution, ensuring that you add only trusted and secure networks while regularly maintaining network settings for reliable performance. By doing so, users can take full advantage of custom networks while safeguarding their assets and privacy.

Custom Network FAQs

Q.What is a custom network?

The custom networks feature allows you to manually add EVM-compatible chains that are not officially supported by CoolWallet, enabling you to interact with the added networks through CoolWallet.

Q. How is a custom network different from an officially supported chain?

Custom networks do not support crypto swaps or credit card purchases. Additionally, transaction history is limited, showing only records of transactions sent through the CoolWallet App.

March 14, 2025
|
Asset Listings, Product

We’re excited to announce our new colocation service, which will provide clients access to ultra-fast execution. The service is designed to further enhance our trading performance and scalability, while maintaining fair and transparent access to our global crypto markets. 

Starting later this year, clients will be able to access ultra-low-latency trading from our European data center by renting cloud compute from Beeks, a leading provider of low-latency compute, connectivity and analytics solutions. Eligible clients with specific technical requirements will also have the option to install physical hardware at our data center and access colocation services directly. 

“Kraken has spent over a decade continuously enhancing our infrastructure and technology, and this is the next step in that evolution,” said Shannon Kurtas, Head of Exchange at Kraken. “By working with Beeks, we’re facilitating even lower latency, more efficient price discovery and deeper liquidity for all of Kraken’s spot and derivative markets.”

While exact latency improvements will vary based on client location, those using Beeks’ Exchange Cloud® colocation services will experience the same low-latency benefits as those installing physical hardware at the data center. Traders operating from London, for example, can expect sub-millisecond latency. 

Gordon McArthur, CEO at Beeks Financial Cloud, said: “Our partnership with Kraken is built on shared values of performance, transparency and trust. With Beeks’ Exchange Cloud® already delivering great results in the Tier 1 equity exchanges space, this collaboration is the first of its kind in the crypto space.”

“Together, we’re setting a new benchmark for low-latency, institutional-grade infrastructure, ensuring all traders — regardless of size — benefit from the security, reliability and performance they need. This is a significant step forward for crypto markets; by lowering barriers to entry and leveling the playing field, we’re supporting Kraken in enhancing access, execution speed and market fairness for all.”

Kurtas added: “Many exchanges offer colocation services, but Kraken’s approach is unique — we’re making it accessible to all partners and clients, not just institutions. This ensures our most active traders receive an enhanced experience while maintaining our commitment to equal and fair market access, a fundamental value in crypto.”