Founded
2011
Registered Users
10M+
Coins Listed
200+
Spot Fee
0.25%
Our Verdict: 4.5 / 5
Kraken is the most trusted exchange in crypto. Founded in 2011 by Jesse Powell, it is one of the oldest and most respected platforms in the industry — and it has never been hacked. In over 13 years of operation, Kraken has maintained a flawless security record that no other major exchange can match.
The exchange has built its reputation on institutional-grade security, regulatory compliance, and transparency. It was among the first exchanges to publish quarterly proof-of-reserves audits and to pass a SOC 2 Type 2 examination. With licenses spanning the US, EU, UK, and beyond, Kraken is arguably the most regulated exchange in the world.
The trade-off? Higher fees. Kraken's default spot fees of 0.25% maker / 0.40% taker are significantly above competitors like Binance (0.10%). For traders who prioritize security and regulation above all else, that premium is worth paying. For cost-sensitive traders, alternatives offer better value.
Pros & Cons
What We Like
- Zero hacks since 2011 — best security track record in crypto
- Proof of reserves audits published quarterly
- MiFID II licensed in Ireland for EU derivatives
- US regulated — FinCEN MSB registered
- Institutional-grade infrastructure and custody
What Could Be Better
- Higher fees (0.25–0.40% spot) vs competitors
- Fewer coins than competitors (200+ vs 400+)
- No copy trading feature
- UI less modern than Binance/Bybit
- Limited earn products compared to competitors
Kraken Fees: Security Comes at a Premium
Kraken's fee structure reflects its institutional positioning. At 0.25% maker / 0.40% taker on spot trades, fees are above the industry average. For comparison, Binance charges 0.10% and Bybit charges 0.10%. However, Kraken's futures fees are competitive at 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker.
| Product | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.25% | 0.40% | VIP tiers reduce fees |
| Futures Trading | 0.02% | 0.05% | Competitive with Binance |
| Margin Trading | 0.02% | 0.02% | Opening fee per 4 hours |
| SEPA Deposit | Free | Free | EUR bank transfer |
| SEPA Instant | Free | Free | Near-instant EUR deposit |
| Card Deposit | 3.75% | — | Visa / Mastercard |
| Crypto Withdrawal | Varies | — | Network fee only |
Volume-based discounts: Kraken offers VIP tiers that reduce fees based on your 30-day trading volume. At the highest tier (Pro), spot maker fees drop to 0.00% and taker fees to 0.10%. However, you need significant volume ($10M+/month) to reach those levels.
For a deeper comparison, see our crypto trading fees guide .
Security: The Safest Exchange in Crypto
Security is Kraken's defining feature and the primary reason traders choose it over cheaper alternatives. No other major exchange can claim a 13+ year track record with zero security breaches.
Zero Breaches Since 2011
Kraken has never been hacked — a record unmatched by any other major exchange. Its multi-layered security architecture has withstood over a decade of increasingly sophisticated attacks.
Proof of Reserves (Quarterly)
Kraken publishes verifiable proof-of-reserves audits every quarter, allowing users to cryptographically verify that the platform holds sufficient reserves to cover all customer deposits.
95% Cold Storage
Kraken stores 95% of all user funds in air-gapped, geographically distributed cold storage. Only the minimum necessary for daily withdrawals is kept in hot wallets.
SOC 2 Type 2 Audit
Kraken is one of the few crypto exchanges to have completed a SOC 2 Type 2 audit, an industry-standard examination of security controls, availability, and data integrity used by traditional financial institutions.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Kraken lists 200+ cryptocurrencies across spot markets. While this is fewer than Binance (400+) or Bybit (600+), Kraken takes a quality-over-quantity approach — every listed asset undergoes rigorous compliance and security review before being made available.
All major assets are supported: BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, DOT, DOGE, AVAX, LINK, MATIC, and more. The exchange also lists select DeFi tokens, Layer 2 assets, and established altcoins. New listings are added regularly but conservatively.
On the derivatives side, Kraken offers 100+ futures contracts with up to 50x leverage. EUR deposits via SEPA are free, making it cost-effective for European traders to fund their accounts.
Track live prices for all Kraken-listed assets on our crypto price hub .
Key Trading Features
Spot Trading
Buy and sell 200+ cryptocurrencies with advanced order types including limit, market, stop-loss, and take-profit. Full TradingView charting integration on Kraken Pro.
Futures (50x Leverage)
Trade 100+ futures contracts with up to 50x leverage on major pairs. Competitive fees at 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker. Available to EU residents through Kraken's MiFID II license.
Margin Trading
Borrow funds to amplify spot positions with up to 5x leverage on cross and isolated margin. Supports major trading pairs with competitive margin rates.
Staking
Earn rewards by staking assets directly on Kraken. Supports ETH, SOL, DOT, ADA, ATOM, and more. Flexible and bonded staking options with competitive APYs.
NFT Marketplace
Kraken's curated NFT marketplace supports Ethereum and Polygon collections. Buy, sell, and hold NFTs within your Kraken account with no gas fees for trades on the platform.
Kraken Pro (Advanced UI)
Full-featured trading terminal with advanced charting, depth charts, multiple order types, and real-time data. Available on web and mobile for experienced traders who need professional tools.
Regulation & Compliance
Kraken is arguably the most regulated cryptocurrency exchange in the world. It holds licenses and registrations across every major financial jurisdiction, making it a go-to platform for institutional investors and compliance-conscious traders.
- US — FinCEN MSB — Registered Money Services Business with full state-by-state licensing across the United States.
- Ireland — MiFID II — Kraken's Irish entity holds a MiFID II license, enabling regulated derivatives trading for EU residents.
- UK — FCA — Registered with the Financial Conduct Authority for crypto-asset activities in the United Kingdom.
- Australia — AUSTRAC — Licensed with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre.
- Abu Dhabi — ADGM — Authorized by the Abu Dhabi Global Market's Financial Services Regulatory Authority.
For EU-based traders, Kraken's MiFID II license provides access to regulated derivatives products under European consumer protection standards. Learn more about KYC in our KYC guide .
Kraken vs Competitors
How does Kraken stack up against the top exchanges? Here's a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Kraken | Binance | Coinbase | Bitvavo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2017 | 2012 | 2018 |
| Spot Fee | 0.25% / 0.40% | 0.10% | 0.40% / 0.60% | 0.25% |
| Futures Fee | 0.02% / 0.05% | 0.02% / 0.05% | — | — |
| Coins Listed | 200+ | 400+ | 250+ | 200+ |
| Max Leverage | 50x | 125x | — | — |
| Proof of Reserves | Quarterly | Monthly | Public company | DNB regulated |
| Insurance | PoR + cold storage | $1B SAFU | FDIC (USD) | DNB licensed |
Data as of April 2026. Fees reflect default tiers without volume discounts. For a full comparison, see our Best Crypto Exchanges in Europe guide.
Who Is Kraken Best For?
Best For
- Security-focused investors who want the safest exchange with a flawless track record
- Institutional traders who need enterprise-grade infrastructure and compliance
- US and EU regulated market users who prioritize full regulatory compliance
- Long-term holders who want maximum custody security for buy-and-hold strategies
Not Ideal For
- Fee-sensitive traders who want the lowest possible costs (Binance is 60% cheaper)
- Altcoin hunters who need access to 400+ tokens and early listings
- Copy traders who want to follow and replicate other traders' strategies
- DeFi-native users who want integrated launchpads, bots, and ecosystem products
How to Get Started on Kraken
- Create your account — Visit kraken.com and register with your email address. The signup process takes under 2 minutes.
- Complete KYC verification — Upload a government-issued ID and proof of residence. Most verifications are approved within 1–2 hours.
- Deposit EUR via SEPA — Link your bank account and send a free SEPA transfer. Deposits typically arrive within 1–2 business days; SEPA Instant is near-instant.
- Start trading — Buy your first crypto using the simple buy/sell interface, or switch to Kraken Pro for advanced charting and order types.
- Enable security features — Set up 2FA (Google Authenticator or hardware key), a Master Key for account recovery, and a Global Settings Lock to prevent unauthorized changes.
Compare Exchange Options
Every exchange has different strengths. Compare fees, security, and features to find your best fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Kraken compare to Binance?+
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