Kraken at a Glance (2026)
| Founded | 2011 (San Francisco) |
| Users | 10+ million in 190+ countries |
| Spot Fees (Pro) | 0.16% maker / 0.26% taker (tier 1) |
| Instant Buy Fees | ~1.5% spread |
| Coins Supported | 300+ |
| Security Record | Never hacked (as of 2026) |
| Regulation | FinCEN registered, FCA regulated (UK), Proof of Reserves |
| Staking | 20+ assets (limited for US users post-2023) |
| Futures | Up to 50× leverage (non-US only) |
Security: Kraken's Biggest Selling Point
Kraken has operated since 2011 and has never suffered a major hack — a distinction very few crypto exchanges can claim. This alone is reason enough to consider it seriously.
Key security features include: 95%+ of assets held in cold storage, mandatory 2FA, global settings lock, master key support, API key permissions, and device whitelisting. Kraken also publishes Proof of Reserves, meaning you can independently verify that your funds are backed 1:1.
In an industry where exchange collapses (FTX, Celsius, BlockFi) have wiped out billions of dollars in customer assets, Kraken's 12+ year track record of solvency is genuinely meaningful.
Fees: Good (If You Use Pro)
This is where most Kraken reviews miss the mark. The fee difference between Instant Buy and Kraken Pro is enormous.
- Instant Buy / Basic interface: ~1.5% spread per trade
- Kraken Pro (pro.kraken.com): 0.16% maker / 0.26% taker at entry tier
At $1,000 traded, that's $15 (Instant Buy) vs $2.60 (Pro taker). If you're buying crypto regularly through the default interface, you're paying 6–10× more than you need to. Switch to Pro immediately.
Compared to Coinbase, Kraken Pro is meaningfully cheaper. Compared to Binance (0.1% taker) or Bitunix (0.06% taker), Kraken's fees are slightly higher but the exchange is far more regulated and transparent.
Features: What Kraken Offers
Spot Trading
300+ cryptocurrencies, excellent liquidity on major pairs. The Pro interface has professional charting via TradingView integration, limit/market/stop orders, margin trading up to 5× for eligible users.
Staking
Kraken offers staking for 20+ assets with twice-weekly reward payouts. Non-US users get the full catalog. US users have limited access following the 2023 SEC settlement — on-chain staking for some assets is still available but the full "Kraken Earn" product was wound down for Americans.
Kraken Futures (Non-US)
Available at futures.kraken.com, Kraken Futures offers up to 50× leverage on BTC and ETH. It's built on Crypto Facilities, a UK-regulated platform acquired in 2019. Not available to US residents.
Kraken NFT
Kraken has an NFT marketplace that operates as a zero-fee aggregator. A useful feature for users who want to engage with NFTs without leaving the Kraken ecosystem.
US vs Non-US: What's Different
| Feature | US Users | Non-US Users |
|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | ✅ Full access | ✅ Full access |
| Kraken Pro | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Staking | ⚠️ Limited (on-chain only) | ✅ Full 20+ asset catalog |
| Futures (50× leverage) | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available |
| Margin Trading (5×) | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
Who Should Use Kraken?
Kraken is best for: security-conscious investors, people who want staking rewards, long-term holders who buy regularly and want to minimize fees via Pro, and non-US users who want access to futures with a regulated provider.
Kraken is not ideal for copy traders (no copy trading feature), users wanting the absolute lowest futures fees (Binance and others are cheaper), or US users who specifically want access to a large staking catalog.
✅ Pros
- Never hacked in 12+ year history
- Proof of Reserves published
- Regulated across multiple jurisdictions
- Kraken Pro fees are competitive
- Strong staking program (non-US)
- 300+ coins, excellent liquidity
- Advanced order types on Pro
- Long-standing reputation
❌ Cons
- US staking limited after SEC settlement
- No copy trading feature
- Futures not available in US
- Instant Buy fees are high (~1.5%)
- KYC required for most features
- Customer support can be slow
Our Verdict
Kraken remains one of the best crypto exchanges in 2026 — particularly for investors who prioritize security and regulatory standing over cutting-edge features. The combination of a 12+ year hack-free record, Proof of Reserves, and strong regulatory footing is hard to match.
The main caveat: make sure you use Kraken Pro and not the basic interface. The fee difference is massive, and most new users don't realize they're overpaying. Once you're on Pro, Kraken becomes an excellent platform for spot trading and staking (if you're outside the US).
For our complete breakdown, see the full Kraken review and resource hub.