What Is Kraken?
Kraken is a centralized cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2011 by Jesse Powell in San Francisco. It is one of the oldest continually operating exchanges in the world, having survived multiple crypto bear markets, regulatory pressure, and numerous industry crises that took down competitors. Kraken is available to both retail and institutional customers across 190+ countries, lists 300+ cryptocurrencies, and serves over 10 million users globally. It is not focused on copy trading or extreme leverage — it is built for people who want a trustworthy platform for buying, selling, and holding crypto long-term, with the option to go deeper into margin and staking.
Est. 2011
One of the first exchanges to survive from 2011 to present. Founded by Jesse Powell, who later stepped down as CEO in 2022.
10M+ Users, 300+ Coins
Available in 190+ countries. Covers major cryptos plus a wide selection of altcoins, with fiat on-ramps via bank transfer and card.
Never Had a Major Hack
Over 13 years of operation with no major exchange-level breach. Publishes Proof of Reserves quarterly so users can verify solvency independently.
US vs Non-US: What's Different?
Kraken's feature set varies significantly depending on whether you're in the United States. Here's a direct comparison.
| Feature | 🇺🇸 US Users | 🌍 Non-US Users |
|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | Available ✓ | Available ✓ |
| Kraken Pro (Advanced Interface) | Available ✓ | Available ✓ |
| Margin Trading (Spot) | Up to 5× on select pairs | Up to 5× on select pairs |
| Kraken Futures | Not Available ✗ | Up to 50× ✓ |
| Staking | Limited (selected assets) | Full availability ✓ |
| Number of Coins Listed | ~260+ (US-approved assets) | 300+ coins |
| Fiat On-Ramps | ACH, wire transfer, debit card | SEPA, wire, card, local methods |
| Crypto-to-Crypto | Available ✓ | Available ✓ |
Key point for US traders: Kraken Futures (50× leverage, perpetual contracts) is a separate product not available to US residents due to regulatory restrictions. US users who want spot trading with up to 5× margin should use Kraken Pro. If you're outside the US and want leveraged futures, Kraken Futures is available through your Kraken account.
Kraken Fees Explained
Kraken uses a tiered maker/taker fee structure based on your 30-day trading volume. The more you trade, the lower your fees go.
| 30-Day Volume | Maker Fee (Spot) | Taker Fee (Spot) |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $50,000 (Base) | 0.16% | 0.26% |
| $50,000 – $100,000 | 0.14% | 0.24% |
| $100,000 – $250,000 | 0.12% | 0.22% |
| $250,000 – $500,000 | 0.10% | 0.20% |
| $500,000 – $1,000,000 | 0.08% | 0.18% |
| $1M – $2.5M | 0.06% | 0.16% |
| $2.5M+ | 0.00% | 0.10% |
| Product | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot (base tier) | 0.16% | 0.26% | Via Kraken or Kraken Pro |
| Futures | 0.02% | 0.05% | Non-US only |
| Staking | No direct fee | Kraken takes a % of rewards | |
| Instant Buy | ~1.5% | Convenience fee, not recommended for active traders | |
→ Full fee breakdown: Kraken Fees Explained — Complete 2026 Guide
Kraken Pros & Cons
Pros
- One of the oldest and most trusted exchanges in the world
- Never suffered a major platform-level hack
- Proof of Reserves published quarterly — verify solvency yourself
- Available in 190+ countries including the US
- Competitive fees — especially on Kraken Pro at higher volume tiers
- Staking available for 20+ coins with solid APY rates
- Futures trading up to 50× for non-US users
- Strong regulatory compliance record
- Clean mobile app and a genuinely useful Pro interface
Cons
- No copy trading feature — if that's your goal, see BTCC or Bitunix
- Futures not available to US residents
- Staking is limited for US users (regulatory restriction)
- Instant Buy fees are high (~1.5%) — always use Kraken Pro for better rates
- Fewer coins than MEXC — no early-stage altcoin launches
- Customer support can be slow during high-volume periods
- Not designed for high-frequency leveraged trading
Who Is Kraken Best For?
Best for
Kraken is a strong choice if any of these describe you:
- You want a trustworthy exchange with a long track record
- You're a US investor who needs a reliable spot trading platform
- You want to stake ETH, SOL, DOT, or ADA and earn yield
- You prefer standard spot investing over leveraged derivatives
- You're a non-US trader who wants up to 50× on futures
- You care about Proof of Reserves and verifiable solvency
Consider alternatives if...
Kraken may not be the right fit if:
Kraken Guides
How to Use Kraken: Complete Beginner's Guide
Account setup, verification, first deposit, first trade — step by step.
Read guide →Kraken Pro Review: Advanced Trading Guide
How to switch to Pro, advanced order types, margin trading, and fee tiers.
Read guide →Kraken Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide
Full fee tables, how to reduce costs, and comparison to competitors.
Read guide →Kraken Staking Guide: Earn Passive Income
Which coins, APY rates, US availability, and how to start staking.
Read guide →Kraken Futures: Leverage, Fees & Strategy
How Kraken Futures works, leverage limits, and risk management basics.
Read guide →Kraken Sign Up Bonus & Referral 2026
Current referral offers and how to claim your signup rewards.
Read guide →Kraken Articles
Kraken Review 2026: Still the #1 Exchange?
Honest deep-dive: pros, cons, who it beats, and where it falls short.
Read →Kraken vs Coinbase 2026
Side-by-side on fees, coins, security, and who wins for US traders.
Read →Kraken vs Binance 2026
Global availability, fees, features, and who wins for which user type.
Read →Is Kraken Safe? Security & Hacks Explained
Track record, Proof of Reserves, regulatory standing, and user risks.
Read →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kraken safe to use?
Yes — Kraken is one of the most security-conscious exchanges in the industry. It has been operating since 2011 without a major platform-level breach, publishes Proof of Reserves quarterly via Merkle tree proofs, and holds client funds separately from company assets. For individual account security: enable 2FA (Google Authenticator or hardware key), use a unique strong password, and activate withdrawal address whitelisting. Kraken is also regulated and licensed as a money services business in multiple jurisdictions.
Is Kraken available in the US?
Yes. Kraken and Kraken Pro are fully available to US customers for spot trading and margin trading (up to 5× on select pairs via Pro). Kraken Futures, which offers up to 50× leverage on perpetual contracts, is a separate product that is not available to US residents due to regulatory restrictions. US users who want leveraged futures should look at BTCC, which explicitly accepts US traders.
What are Kraken's trading fees?
Kraken's base spot trading fees are 0.16% maker and 0.26% taker. These decrease significantly with 30-day trading volume — at $2.5M+ monthly volume, maker fees drop to 0%. Futures fees are much lower: 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker. Using Kraken Pro gives you access to the same fee schedule plus advanced order types. Avoid the "Instant Buy" feature if you want competitive fees — it charges approximately 1.5%.
Does Kraken have staking?
Yes. Kraken offers staking for 20+ cryptocurrencies including ETH (around 3.5–4% APY), SOL (~5–6%), DOT (~10–12%), ADA (~3–5%), and others. Rates change based on network conditions. There is no explicit staking fee — Kraken takes a commission from your gross rewards. US staking availability is limited compared to non-US due to regulatory restrictions. Check current availability and rates on the Kraken staking page.
What is the difference between Kraken and Kraken Pro?
They're the same account — Kraken Pro is just the advanced interface on top of your regular Kraken account. Kraken Pro gives you TradingView-powered charts, advanced order types (stop-limit, take-profit, TWAP, iceberg), a more detailed order book, and margin trading access. There's no extra fee to use it. If you're doing anything beyond simple buy/sell, you should switch to Pro — it's genuinely better and costs nothing extra.
Does Kraken have a signup bonus or referral code?
Kraken offers a referral program where both parties can earn rewards after meeting trading activity thresholds. Unlike some exchanges that offer large upfront deposit bonuses, Kraken's incentives are tied to actual trading activity. Use the link on this page to ensure any current offer is applied. Promotions change — check the current offer through the signup link.
Can I use Kraken for copy trading?
No — Kraken does not have a built-in copy trading feature. If copy trading is your primary goal, you should look at BTCC or Bitunix, both of which have native copy trading with trader performance stats. Kraken is built for self-directed spot investing, staking, and (for non-US users) futures trading.