7.9/10 (Expert Score)
Company is rated as #11 in category Crypto exchanges

Kraken review: Kraken is a popular cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2011 by Jesse Powell. It is one of the oldest and most respected cryptocurrency exchanges in the world and has gained a reputation for its security, reliability and advanced trading features. Kraken is based in San Francisco, California, but has a global presence with customers in more than 190 countries.

One of the key features of Kraken is its emphasis on security. The exchange has never been hacked, and it uses a range of advanced security measures to protect its customers' funds and data. These measures include two-factor authentication, encrypted email, and cold storage of the majority of its funds, which means they are kept offline and away from potential hackers.

Kraken


Kraken offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies for trading, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and many others. It also offers advanced trading features such as margin trading, futures trading, and options trading, which allow traders to take advantage of market fluctuations and potentially earn greater profits. In addition to its trading features, Kraken also provides a range of educational resources to help users learn more about cryptocurrency and trading. This includes a blog with in-depth analysis and commentary on the cryptocurrency market, as well as a knowledge base with articles and guides on a range of topics.

Awards:

award

Was recognized as one of the safest cryptocurrency exchanges in the 2019 ranking by analytical agency Group-IB.

award
award

In 2020, it acquired British firm Crypto Facilities, which allowed it to offer trading in the futures market.

award
award

In September 2020, Kraken received approval to create the first cryptocurrency bank in the U.S. called Kraken Financial.

award
📅 Year of Establishment2011
💱 Coins:220+
💰 Min depositDepending on the trading pair and currency of the deposit, for example, for a deposit in Bitcoin, the minimum amount is 0.0001 BTC.
⚖️ Leverage1:5
💹 Trading feesFrom 0% to 0.26%, depending on the trading pair and volume. Kraken also offers fee discounts for high-volume traders.
💳 P2P platform
📱 Mobile appsiOS, Android
🗺️ HeadquartersKraken is based in San Francisco, California, USA. They also have offices in various other locations, including Canada and Japan.
Advantages:
  • High security;
  • Reliable and fast trading;
  • Low commissions;
  • Variety of payment methods
Disadvantages:
  • Limited selection of cryptocurrency pairs;
  • Slow verification process

Overall Kraken Review

Overall, Kraken is a well-respected and trusted cryptocurrency exchange that offers a range of advanced trading features and a commitment to security and regulatory compliance. It is a popular choice for both new and experienced cryptocurrency traders, and is likely to remain a major player in the industry for years to come.

Go to Kraken.com website

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Geographic Distribution

Geography of clients (traders) of Kraken

Top Reviews

Best customer reviews of Kraken

The site administration cannot guarantee review accuracy and lacks the technical means to verify if authors are actual customers. Reviews lacking detail and purely emotional in nature are disregarded.

I've been using Kraken Exchange for several years now, and I can confidently say that it's one of the best cryptocurrency exchanges out there. The first thing that stands out is their top-notch security measures. I feel safe storing my crypto assets on Kraken, knowing that they use two-factor authentication and cold storage to protect my funds from any potential hacks.

Andrew Hernandez
Andrew Hernandez
Canada

I have found Kraken to be quite slow at times. The platform can be slow, especially during periods of high trading volume. This can make it difficult to place trades quickly and even lead to missed opportunities. I have also had some issues with deposits and withdrawals taking longer than expected, which can be inconvenient when I need to transfer funds quickly.

Matthias Schneider
Matthias Schneider
Germany

Finally, I really appreciate the mobile app that Kraken offers. It's incredibly convenient to be able to trade on the go and keep track of my portfolio from my phone. The app is easy to use and has all the same features as the desktop version.

Connor Collins
Connor Collins
UK

Expert Review

Expert Review of Kraken

One of Kraken's outstanding features is its advanced security measures, including two-factor authentication and cold storage of funds. In addition, Kraken has been licensed by several regulatory agencies, including the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the Financial Conduct Authority, demonstrating its commitment to operating within the law and protecting its customers. Kraken also offers a variety of trading features, including margin trading, futures trading and options trading, which allow traders to take advantage of market fluctuations and potentially make large profits. The platform is designed with more experienced traders in mind, but there are still plenty of resources available for beginners to learn and start trading.

Roman_Mukhin
Roman Mukhin
Financial expert and analyst at TradersHero.com

It is important to understand that trading on Coinbase or any other cryptocurrency exchange involves inherent risks. Cryptocurrencies are notoriously unstable and can experience significant price fluctuations in a short period of time, potentially leading to significant financial losses.

Kraken Ern

Investment Programs

Kraken offers several investment programs that allow users to earn passive income on their cryptocurrency holdings. These programs include:

Staking: Kraken offers staking services for a range of cryptocurrencies, including Polkadot, Ethereum, and Cosmos. By staking their cryptocurrencies, users can earn a share of the rewards generated by the blockchain network in exchange for helping to secure the network.
Crypto Savings: Kraken's Crypto Savings program allows users to earn interest on their cryptocurrency holdings. Users can deposit their cryptocurrencies into a savings account and earn interest on a weekly basis. The interest rate varies depending on the cryptocurrency and market conditions.
Futures Trading: Kraken offers futures trading for a range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Futures trading allows users to speculate on the future price of a cryptocurrency and potentially earn a profit from the price difference.
OTC Trading: Kraken's OTC trading desk allows users to buy and sell large amounts of cryptocurrency outside of the public market. This is a good option for users who want to make large trades without affecting the price of the cryptocurrency in the public market.

These investment programs provide users with several options for earning passive income on their cryptocurrency holdings. Users should carefully consider the risks and rewards of each program before making any investment decisions.

Staking is a process where users lock their cryptocurrency on a blockchain network for a period of time to validate new transactions and earn rewards. By holding a certain amount of cryptocurrency in a wallet, users can contribute to the network's security and stability, and earn rewards in the same cryptocurrency.

how to use staking
To use staking on Kraken, follow these steps:
Supported cryptocurrency
First, ensure that you have the supported cryptocurrency available in your Kraken account wallet.
Navigate
Navigate to the “Staking” section of your Kraken account dashboard.
Select the cryptocurrency
Select the cryptocurrency you wish to stake and click on the “Stake” button.
Follow the instructions
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the staking process. This may include specifying the amount of cryptocurrency you wish to stake and the duration of the stake.
Finish
Once the staking period is complete, you should receive your rewards in the same cryptocurrency that was staked.

It's important to note that staking involves a degree of risk and should be approached with caution. Staking rewards can vary depending on the cryptocurrency and network conditions, and there is always a risk of losing the staked cryptocurrency. Make sure to thoroughly research and understand the risks involved before participating in staking on Kraken or any other platform.

Users should thoroughly research and understand the risks involved in any trading or investment activity on Kraken or any other cryptocurrency exchange before making any investments.

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Conditions

Trading Conditions for Kraken Users

Kraken offers a range of trading conditions for traders, including access to a diverse range of cryptocurrencies. The exchange supports a wide variety of cryptocurrencies for trading, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and many others. This broad range of cryptocurrencies provides traders with greater options and flexibility in terms of the trades they can make.

Kraken's trading fees can vary based on the currency pair being traded and the volume of the trade. However, in general, Kraken's fees are competitive with other cryptocurrency exchanges. Additionally, Kraken's fee structure rewards makers (users who provide liquidity to the market) with lower fees than takers (users who take liquidity from the market).

Kraken also offers advanced trading features, such as margin trading, futures trading, and options trading. These features allow traders to take advantage of market fluctuations and potentially earn greater profits. The exchange's user-friendly trading platform provides traders with real-time market data, order books, and trading charts. The platform is customizable and can be tailored to the needs of individual traders.

📅 Year of Establishment2011
💱 Coins:220+
💰 Min depositDepending on the trading pair and currency of the deposit, for example, for a deposit in Bitcoin, the minimum amount is 0.0001 BTC.
⚖️ Leverage1:5
💹 Trading feesFrom 0% to 0.26%, depending on the trading pair and volume. Kraken also offers fee discounts for high-volume traders.
💳 P2P platform
🔁 Copy Trading
📈 DirectivesUSDT perpetual, futures, options, leveraged tokens
📊 DeFi Staking
🖼️ NFT
🏦 Crypto Loans
🔓 Demo account
🚀 Launchpad
📱 Mobile appsiOS, Android
📞 Customer Service24/7 Live Chat, Email, and Phone Support
👩‍💼 SupportMultilingual
🗺️ HeadquartersKraken is based in San Francisco, California, USA. They also have offices in various other locations, including Canada and Japan.

Risk Warning

Comparison

Comparison of Kraken.com with other Crypto Exchanges

Coins
Trading fees
iOS, Android
Directives
Leverage
Staking
COPY TRADING
P2P platform
Coins
2200+
Trading fees
From -0.01%
iOS, Android
Directives
Leverage
1:5
Staking
COPY TRADING
P2P platform
Coins
385+
Trading fees
From 0%
iOS, Android
Directives
Leverage
1:125
Staking
COPY TRADING
P2P platform
Coins
360+
Trading fees
From 0%
iOS, Android
Directives
Leverage
1:100
Staking
COPY TRADING
P2P platform
Coins
815+
Trading fees
From 0%
iOS, Android
Directives
Leverage
1:100
Staking
COPY TRADING
P2P platform
Coins
350+
Trading fees
Maker fee from -0.05%
iOS, Android
Directives
Leverage
1:100
Staking
COPY TRADING
P2P platform
Coins
490+
Trading fees
From 0.0015%
iOS, Android
Directives
Leverage
1:100
Staking
COPY TRADING
P2P platform
Coins
400+
Trading fees
From -0.01%
iOS, Android
Directives
Leverage
1:100
Staking
COPY TRADING
P2P platform

Crypto Exchanges comparison table of trading instruments

Kraken
VS
Bybit
VS
Kucoin
Spot
VS
VS
Margin Trading
VS
VS
Futures
VS
VS
Options
VS
VS
NFT
VS
VS
DeFi Staking
VS
VS
Crypto Loans
VS
VS
Launchpad
VS
VS

Commissions

Kraken Accounts, Commissions & Fees

Kraken offers several types of accounts, each with its own set of features and requirements. Here are the main account types offered by Kraken:

  • Starter account: This is the basic account type and requires only an email address to sign up. With a starter account, users can deposit, withdraw, and trade cryptocurrencies.
  • Intermediate account: This account type requires users to provide more information, including a name, address, and date of birth. With an intermediate account, users can access higher funding and withdrawal limits.
  • Pro account: The pro account is designed for professional traders and requires additional documentation to verify the user's identity. With a pro account, users can access even higher funding and withdrawal limits and advanced trading features such as margin trading and futures trading.

Kraken's fees can vary depending on the account type and the currency pair being traded. In general, Kraken's fees are competitive with other cryptocurrency exchanges, and the exchange uses a maker-taker fee structure where makers (users who provide liquidity to the market) are charged lower fees than takers (users who take liquidity from the market).

Kraken also offers additional services that come with their own fees, such as staking and margin trading. These fees can vary depending on the specific service and the currency being traded. It's important to note that trading cryptocurrencies involves inherent risks and fees, so it's important to thoroughly research and understand the risks and costs involved before participating in any trading activities on Kraken or any other cryptocurrency exchange.

Account typeMinimum depositLeverageTransaction feeMargin call / Stop out
StarterNot requiredN/AVaries depending on the trading pairNot applicable
Intermediate Depends on the trading pairN/AVaries depending on the trading pairNot applicable
ProDepends on the trading pairUp to 5xVaries depending on the trading pairDepends on the level of margin risk and selected leverage

Kraken PRO Program Fees

Spot Trading

Trading volume
for 30 days (USD)
Maker FeeTaker Fee
$0 – $50,0000.16%0.26%
$50,001 – $100,0000.14%0.24%
$100,001 – $250,0000.12%0.22%
$250,001 – $500,0000.10%0.20%
$500,001 – $1,000,0000.08%0.18%
$1,000,001 – $2,500,0000.06%0.16%
$2,500,001 – $5,000,0000.04%0.14%
$5,000,001 – $10,000,0000.02%0.12%
$10,000,000+0.00%0.10%

Futures Trading

Trading volume
for 30 days (USD)
Maker FeeTaker Fee
$0 – $100,0000.0200%0.0500%
$100,001 – $1,000,0000.0150%0.0400%
$1,000,001 – $5,000,0000.0125%0.0300%
$5,000,001 – $10,000,0000.0100%0.0250%
$10,000,001 – $20,000,0000.0075%0.0200%
$20,000,001 – $50,000,0000.0050%0.0150%
$50,000,001 – $100,000,0000.0025%0.0125%
$100,000,001 +0.0000%0.0100%

It is important to note that on Kraken, some account types may have other parameters not listed in the table, such as the availability of certain instruments and the functionality of trading platforms. Also, parameters may vary depending on a user's geographic location. Users should check the official Kraken website for up-to-date information about account terms and conditions to obtain more detailed and accurate information about trading conditions, commissions and other parameters that may affect their trading on the exchange.

Risk Warning

Final review

Detailed review of Kraken Review

Kraken's advanced security measures and regulatory compliance are significant factors that have helped establish the exchange's reputation as a secure and reliable platform for buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies. The exchange's commitment to protecting its users and operating within the law is a reassuring sign for traders looking to participate in the cryptocurrency market with confidence.

Exchange offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies to trade, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and many others. It also provides advanced trading options such as margin trading, futures trading and options trading, which can help experienced traders take advantage of market fluctuations and potentially make large profits.

Kraken's advanced security measures and regulatory compliance are significant factors that have helped establish the exchange's reputation as a secure and reliable platform for buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies. The exchange's commitment to protecting its users and operating within the law is a reassuring sign for traders looking to participate in the cryptocurrency market with confidence.

Kraken's educational resources are also noteworthy, with a comprehensive knowledge base that includes articles, guides, and tutorials, as well as a regularly updated blog with in-depth analysis and commentary on the cryptocurrency market. This wealth of information is a valuable resource for traders of all levels and can help users make more informed decisions.

In addition to its commitment to security and regulatory compliance, Kraken is also focused on improving the user experience. The exchange has made significant investments in its platform, with regular updates and improvements to its trading engine, order types, and user interface. This has helped make the platform more user-friendly and accessible for traders of all levels, and has contributed to Kraken's growing popularity as a cryptocurrency exchange.

Note
While Kraken's fees may be relatively high for smaller trades, the exchange offers lower fees for larger trades, making it a good option for higher-volume traders. Overall, Kraken is a reliable and secure cryptocurrency exchange that has earned a strong reputation for its emphasis on security, regulatory compliance, and advanced trading features. With a diverse range of cryptocurrencies available for trading and a variety of educational resources, Kraken is a popular choice for traders looking for a trustworthy and feature-rich exchange.

In conclusion, Kraken is a reliable and reputable cryptocurrency exchange that offers a wide range of features and resources for traders looking to participate in the cryptocurrency market. Advanced security measures, regulatory compliance and a commitment to improving the user experience have helped Kraken become one of the leading exchanges in the industry. While fees for small transactions can be relatively high, the exchange offers lower fees for large transactions and a wide selection of cryptocurrencies to trade.

Advantages:

Kraken is one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges in the world and provides many benefits to its users. Here are some of them:

Deep Market: Kraken offers access to a wide range of trading pairs and has a deep market with high liquidity, which ensures the best prices and execution of trades at high speed.
Transparency: The site publishes information about its commissions and other services on its website and provides a high degree of transparency in its transactions.
Margin Trading: The exchangeprovides leveraged margin trading. This allows users to increase their potential income from cryptocurrency trading.
Variety of tools: Kraken offers a variety of tools for trading, including staking, futures, and options. This gives users more profit opportunities.
High security: The exchange provides a high level of security through the use of advanced technology and multiple security measures such as two-factor authentication, encryption and cold wallet storage.
Professional support: Kraken provides professional support to its users through chat, tickets and other communication channels. In addition, the exchange has an extensive knowledge base and guides that help users better understand cryptocurrency trading and operations on the exchange.

Kraken.com Regulator

According to my latest data, Kraken is a regulated cryptocurrency exchange that operates in compliance with relevant laws and regulations in the countries where it operates. Kraken is registered as a Money Services Business with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in the United States and is licensed to operate in several U.S. states. The exchange is also registered with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and operates in accordance with EU regulations.

Kraken has also obtained a license from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), allowing it to operate in the state of New York. In addition, Kraken is a member of the Crypto Rating Council, which is a group of major cryptocurrency exchanges that work to promote compliance with U.S. securities laws.

The exchange applies a number of security measures to protect its users' funds and data, including two-factor authentication, encryption and the use of cold storage for most of its cryptocurrency vaults.

Overall, Kraken has a strong focus on regulatory compliance and security, which has helped it to establish a reputation as a trustworthy and reliable cryptocurrency exchange.

Risk Warning

Promotions

Bonuses Paid by the Kraken.com

Bonuses

Kraken offers several bonus programs for its users, including:

Kraken Loyalty Program: This program offers users discounts on trading fees based on their trading volume over a 30-day period. The more a user trades, the higher the discount they can earn. The loyalty program has four tiers: Starter, Intermediate, Pro, and Master.
Kraken Referral Program: This program allows users to earn a percentage of their referrals' trading fees for up to one year. Users can share their referral link or QR code with their friends and earn a commission for every successful referral.
Staking Rewards: Kraken also offers staking rewards to users who stake certain cryptocurrencies on the exchange. Staking rewards are a way for users to earn interest on their cryptocurrency holdings by helping to secure the blockchain network.
Airdrops: Kraken occasionally offers airdrops to its users, which are free cryptocurrency tokens that are distributed as a reward for completing certain tasks or participating in a promotion.

Kraken's bonus programs are designed to incentivize users to trade more frequently, refer new users to the platform, and hold certain cryptocurrencies on the exchange. Users can participate in these programs to earn rewards and reduce their trading fees.

Education

Review of the Kraken Education Program

Kraken offers a number of educational programs for beginners and advanced traders who want to improve their knowledge of cryptocurrency trading and investing.

Educational tools:

“Kraken Learn” is a series of lessons on the basics of cryptocurrency and crypto trading. This program is designed for beginners who are just starting out in the world of cryptocurrencies.
“Trading Strategies” is a training course that will help traders develop their trading strategies based on technical and fundamental analysis. This program is designed for advanced traders.
“Webinars” is a series of online webinars conducted by experienced traders. The webinars cover various topics related to cryptocurrencies and crypto trading.
“Crypto Security Guide” is a training course to help traders protect their cryptocurrencies and personal data from cyberattacks.
“Kraken Intelligence Reports” is a series of research reports that help traders make decisions based on current data and analytics.


Online Courses:

Mastering the Kraken Trade” by Udemy. This course is for anyone who wants to understand how to trade on the Kraken Exchange, including beginners. It includes 2 hours of video material in which the instructor explains how to use the basic functions of the exchange and provides a detailed analysis of the charts.
“Kraken Exchange Tutorial” by CryptoCompare. This course is free and is designed for those who want to learn the basics of the Kraken exchange. It includes step-by-step instructions on how to create an account, make a deposit and trade on the exchange. The course also covers topics such as security and tips for trading on the exchange.
“Trading on Kraken for Beginners” by The Chart Guys This course is a video tutorial provided by The Chart Guys YouTube channel. It provides an in-depth overview of the crypto exchange, its main features and trading methods. The instructor also talks about his experience trading on this exchange and gives tips on trading on the crypto exchange.


Overall, Kraken's educational programs are a valuable resource for traders of all experience levels who want to improve their knowledge and skills in cryptocurrency trading and investing.

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latest posts

Rating and Comments

Kraken Users Reviews 2024

8.2 Total Score
19 reviews
Rating Overview

Based on all reviews

7.9Expert Score
Investment instruments
8.2
Deposits and withdrawals
7.5
Customer service
8
Trading platform
8
8.5User's score
Investment instruments
8.3
Deposits and withdrawals
7.8
Customer service
8.6
Trading platform
9.3
Add your review  |  Read reviews and comments

Authors:

Roman_Mukhin

Roman Mukhin
Financial expert, analyst and author

Jane Emberg

Jane Emberg
Financial analyst and editor

Best Crypto ExchangesOverall Ranking
4 Comments
Show all Most Helpful Highest Rating Lowest Rating Add your review
  1. 3
    Investment instruments
    70
    Deposits and withdrawals
    70
    Customer service
    50
    Trading platform
    50

    I’ve had a frustrating experience with Kraken’s customer service. It’s difficult to get in touch with them and when I do, the responses are not helpful. I also find the trading fees to be on the higher side compared to other exchanges.

    Helpful(0) Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
  2. 4.25
    Investment instruments
    90
    Deposits and withdrawals
    60
    Customer service
    90
    Trading platform
    100

    raken has been a reliable platform for me to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. I appreciate the variety of coins available and the ease of use. However, the withdrawal process can be slow and the fees can add up quickly if you’re making frequent trades.

    Helpful(0) Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
  3. 3.6
    Investment instruments
    70
    Deposits and withdrawals
    70
    Customer service
    70
    Trading platform
    80

    Kraken’s mobile app is fantastic for trading on the go. The interface is intuitive and I’ve never experienced any glitches or bugs. I also appreciate the low minimum deposit requirement, which makes it accessible for beginners like myself to start trading.

    Helpful(0) Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
  4. 5
    Investment instruments
    100
    Deposits and withdrawals
    100
    Customer service
    100
    Trading platform
    100

    Kraken is my go-to cryptocurrency exchange because of its user-friendly platform and wide range of coins available for trading. The security measures in place give me peace of mind that my funds are safe, and I appreciate the responsive customer service whenever I have a question or issue.

    Helpful(0) Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this

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