Kraken Securities is still offering a 2% bonus for transferring your stocks and ETFs to their platform via ACATS transfer, now extended through January 31, 2026! This is pretty enticing – you essentially get free money for moving your investments. The hold period is just one year from December 1, 2025, which is way shorter than similar offers from Robinhood or WeBull. The bonus is paid out in USDG crypto, but you can immediately sell that and buy back into your favorite stocks or ETFs.

Here's the catch (and why it's a bit "sketchy"): To qualify, you must participate in Kraken's Fully Paid Stock Lending program and remain opted in for the entire year of the promotion. This means Kraken can lend out your shares, which introduces a layer of risk – some argue that since your shares are being lent, they may no longer be covered by SIPC insurance. Also, you can't make any outbound ACATS transfers during the promotional period.

So, is it worth it? If you're comfortable with stock lending and its associated risks, this could be a simple way to earn a little extra. Remember to factor in the $49.99/year Kraken+ membership fee, initiate the transfer ASAP to avoid missing the deadline, and manually keep track of your "cost basis" (the original price you paid for your investments) as Kraken apparently isn't great at transferring that info. Do your due diligence and decide if that 2% bonus outweighs the potential downsides!