Kraken’s workforce: Forever remote-first

By Pranesh Anthapur, Kraken Chief People Officer

While other companies struggle with return-to-office (RTO) mandates, it’s remote-first business as usual at Kraken.

We’re building a borderless financial future in more ways than one. Our vision demands a workforce as free and flexible as the crypto we champion. We empower our employees (Krakenites) to shape their own careers — while they help shape the future of the global economy — from anywhere on earth.

The problem with centralized offices

Despite evidence that remote work boosts productivity, culture and employee satisfaction, many organizations are forced to cling to outdated, office-based models. Remote-first work just isn’t in their DNA.

A 2023 survey by the Conference Board revealed that 73% of organizations were struggling to bring employees back onsite, with 68% considering or implementing strategies to increase in-person work. But organizations with mandatory onsite policies face significant talent retention challenges, with 71% reporting such difficulties.

Creativity is illuminated by ingenuity, not fluorescent lights!

The message from most workers is clear: Flexibility is nonnegotiable. 77% of Gen Z and 75% of millennials in remote or hybrid roles would consider leaving their jobs if forced back to the office full-time.

The question isn’t whether to embrace remote work, but how quickly companies can adapt to the future of work that’s already here.

Why we work (almost) anywhere and everywhere

Why do we stay committed to remote work? The results speak for themselves: over 80% of Krakenites say we support their work/life balance, and 92% enthusiastically recommend Kraken as a great place to work. 

Remote-first isn’t just about working from home. It’s about rewriting the wider understanding of how global employment can work. Let’s dive deeper into a few aspects of our borderless approach.

Every Krakenite, free to roam

Kraken doesn’t simply enable a globe-trotting lifestyle – we strap a rocket to it.

Krakenites can embrace the digital nomad lifestyle with our expert security team’s support. Our “productively paranoid” approach ensures top-tier technology and security for remote workers, all backed by a 24/7 global emergency response team. Being a digital nomad means cultural exploration and invaluable insights into global crypto use cases.

The remote working lifestyle remains an important factor to retaining talent within web3. In a recent survey from Consensys, two out of three respondents considered themselves digital nomads. Additionally, 72% of professionals see remote and flexible work opportunities as a key reason for staying in their current job.

The global landscape for remote work is improving all the time, with countries like Portugal, Mexico, the UAE and Spain now offering enticing visa programs for digital nomads. With projections of 60 million digital nomads by 2030, it’s clear workers are choosing freedom and global opportunities over traditional office-bound careers.

Flexible hours, unbound by borders

Remote work isn’t just a perk. It’s a priority worth money to workers.

A 2023 FlexJobs survey of over 8,400 U.S. employees found that 17% would accept a pay cut of up to 20% to work remotely; one in ten would sacrifice over 20% of their salary to leave the office permanently.

But here’s the thing: Krakenites can have their cake and eat it too when it comes to compensation. 

Krakenites enjoy a crypto career that aligns with their values and crypto conviction while enjoying salaries that match top industry standards worldwide. Plus, Krakenites get the option to take some or all of their pay in crypto.

Being globally remote means we can be laser-focused on talent when hiring. We seek out individuals who not only excel in their roles but will also drive innovation and contribute to team growth. Our distributed workforce spans the globe with over 3,000 Krakenites across 70 countries, speaking over 50 languages. Our global presence helps ensure seamless 24/7 operations, a critical advantage in the always-on world of crypto.

Retreats build global perspectives 

We’ve ditched the costly corporate office model in favor of something far more powerful: global retreats.

Kraken retreats aren’t about work – they’re about expanding perspectives, promoting team-building and wellness. Brainchild of Jesse Powell, our former CEO and current Chairman, these gatherings unite Krakenites worldwide for face-to-face connections and shared global perspectives. As a direct result of retreats, 94% of Krakenites report improved morale, 84% note boosted motivation and 90% said they formed meaningful connections with coworkers. 

By redirecting resources from static office spaces to dynamic global experiences for our Krakenites, we build an engaged, connected workforce that’s truly borderless.

The future is remote-first

From Lisbon to London, Madrid to Mexico City, we’re proving that brilliant people don’t need to share a zip code to collaborate effectively. 

Ready to work for a company that wont flip-flop on its remote-first policy? Make work work for you.