Kraken is one of the oldest crypto exchanges in the world, founded in 2011 by Jesse Powell. It supports 500+ cryptocurrencies and now offers commission-free trading on 11,000+ U.S. stocks and ETFs.
The platform serves customers in 190+ countries and has built a reputation for strong security, regulatory compliance, and transparent operations. Kraken holds a MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland and operates as a regulated entity in the United States.
How We Rate Kraken
At Financer, all crypto exchanges go through a thorough research and review process. We test the platform ourselves, analyze fees, evaluate security measures, and compare against competitors. Here's how we rate Kraken:
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Trading features | 5/5 |
| Fees | 4/5 |
| Security | 5/5 |
| Transparency | 5/5 |
| Customer support | 4/5 |
| Overall | 4.5/5 |
Do We Recommend Kraken?
Yes, we recommend Kraken as a reliable and legit crypto trading platform. It combines strong security practices with a wide selection of assets and competitive fees on Kraken Pro. Skip to our full review below to see how we rate each category.
Kraken Overview
Kraken launched in 2011 and has grown into one of the most established crypto exchanges globally. The platform supports 500+ digital assets with 1,200+ trading pairs, including fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-crypto options.
Kraken operates two main platforms. The standard Kraken app is designed for everyday buying and selling with a clean, simple interface. Kraken Pro caters to experienced traders with advanced charting, multiple order types, and margin trading up to 5x leverage.
In 2025, Kraken expanded beyond crypto by launching commission-free trading for 11,000+ U.S. stocks and ETFs. The company also reinstated on-chain staking for U.S. clients in 39 states after the SEC case was dismissed with prejudice in March 2025.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Cryptocurrencies | 500+ |
| Trading experience | Beginner and advanced traders |
| Instant buy fee | 1% (0% with Kraken+ membership up to $20K/mo) |
| Pro maker/taker fees | 0.16% / 0.26% (entry level) |
| Security | ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type 2, Proof of Reserves |
| Account setup | Fast online verification |
| Fiat support | USD, EUR, CAD, JPY, GBP, CHF, AUD |
| Stock trading | 11,000+ U.S. stocks and ETFs (select states) |
| Availability | All U.S. states except Maine and New York |
Who Is Kraken For?
Kraken works well for both beginners and experienced crypto traders, though each group will use different parts of the platform.
Beginners can use the standard Kraken app for simple buy, sell, and convert transactions. The interface is clean and the learning curve is minimal. The Kraken+ membership ($4.99/month) eliminates trading fees on up to $20,000 in monthly volume, which is a solid deal for regular buyers.
Advanced traders will get more value from Kraken Pro, which offers limit orders, stop-losses, take-profit orders, margin trading (5x leverage), and futures contracts. Pro fees start at just 0.16% for makers.
Stock investors in eligible states can now trade 11,000+ U.S. stocks and ETFs commission-free directly in the Kraken app, with fractional shares starting at $1.
Kraken is available to customers across the U.S. except in Maine and New York.
How To Open a Kraken Account
Opening a Kraken account takes just a few minutes. Here's how to get started:
Create your account
Go to kraken.com or download the Kraken app. Enter your email, choose a username, and set a strong password.
Verify your identity
Complete the KYC verification process by uploading a government-issued ID and taking a selfie. Verification typically takes a few minutes.
Fund your account
Deposit funds via ACH bank transfer (free), wire transfer, or debit card. You can also deposit crypto from another wallet.
Start trading
Buy crypto instantly through the main app or switch to Kraken Pro for advanced order types and lower fees.
Kraken Fees
Kraken's fee structure depends on which platform you use and how you trade. Here's a breakdown:
| Transaction Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Instant buy/sell (standard app) | 1% |
| Kraken+ membership trades | 0% (up to $20K/month, membership $4.99/mo) |
| Pro maker fee (entry) | 0.16% |
| Pro taker fee (entry) | 0.26% |
| ACH deposit/withdrawal | Free |
| Debit card purchase | 3.75% + $0.25 |
| U.S. stock/ETF trading | Commission-free |
Pro fees decrease with higher 30-day trading volume. At $50,000-$100,000 in monthly volume, maker fees drop to 0.14% and taker fees to 0.24%. At the highest tier ($10M+ monthly), makers pay 0% and takers pay just 0.10%.
Compared to Coinbase, Kraken's fees are noticeably lower. Coinbase charges up to 0.60% per trade on its Advanced platform, while Kraken Pro's entry-level taker fee is 0.26%.
Kraken Pro
Kraken Pro is the advanced trading platform designed for experienced users. It includes:
- Advanced order types including limit, stop-loss, take-profit, and trailing stop orders
- Margin trading with up to 5x leverage on select pairs
- Futures trading for speculating on price movements
- Professional charting with TradingView integration
- Lower fees that decrease based on your 30-day trading volume
Kraken Pro is free to use. You don't need a separate account - just switch to the Pro interface from your regular Kraken account.
Kraken Staking
After pausing U.S. staking services in 2023 following an SEC settlement, Kraken relaunched on-chain staking for U.S. clients in January 2025. The new service is available in 39 states and territories.
U.S. clients can stake 17 assets including ETH, SOL, DOT, and ADA. Staking rewards vary by asset, and bonded staking requires locking your tokens for a specific period. All staked assets are covered by third-party slashing insurance.
Outside the U.S., Kraken offers staking on a broader range of assets with more flexible terms.
Kraken Stock and ETF Trading
Kraken now lets U.S. clients trade 11,000+ stocks and ETFs commission-free directly within the Kraken app and Kraken Pro. This feature is currently rolling out state by state, starting with New Jersey, Connecticut, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Iowa, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Alabama, and Washington D.C.
You can buy fractional shares starting at just $1 and trade during extended hours. This means you can manage your crypto and stock portfolios from a single platform without needing separate brokerage accounts.
How Financer Rates Kraken
Is Kraken safe? Yes. Kraken is one of the most secure crypto exchanges available, and we recommend it for both beginners and experienced traders.
Security
Kraken takes security seriously. The exchange holds ISO 27001 certification and has completed SOC 2 Type 2 examinations. It publishes quarterly Proof of Reserves through Merkle-tree attestations that users can independently verify.
The majority of client crypto is stored in cold wallets, and the platform supports FIDO2 security keys, passkeys, withdrawal allowlists, and global settings locks. Kraken has never suffered a major platform-wide hack.
Fees
Kraken's fees are competitive, particularly on Pro. Entry-level Pro taker fees (0.26%) are less than half what Coinbase Advanced charges (0.60%). The instant buy fee (1%) is fair for convenience, and the Kraken+ membership effectively eliminates fees for moderate-volume traders.
Regulatory Standing
Kraken is regulated in the U.S. as a money services business and holds a MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland for EU operations. The SEC's case against Kraken was dismissed with prejudice in March 2025, removing a significant regulatory overhang.
Customer Support
Kraken offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, phone, and a ticket system. The AI chatbot handles common questions quickly, with the option to escalate to a human agent. Most issues are resolved within 24 hours.
Key Takeaways
Kraken supports 500+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Dogecoin. The platform offers both a beginner-friendly app and the advanced Kraken Pro with margin trading, futures, and professional charting tools.
Fees range from 1% for instant buys to 0.16% maker / 0.26% taker on Pro. The Kraken+ membership ($4.99/mo) gives you zero-fee trading up to $20K monthly.
U.S. clients can now trade 11,000+ stocks and ETFs commission-free, and on-chain staking is available in 39 states. Kraken is not available in Maine or New York.
Kraken Alternatives
Here's how Kraken compares to other popular crypto exchanges:
| Exchange | Cryptocurrencies | Pro/Advanced Fees | Stock Trading | U.S. Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraken | 500+ | 0.16% / 0.26% | Yes (select states) | All except ME, NY |
| Coinbase | 260+ | 0.40% / 0.60% | No | All 50 states |
| Crypto.com | 350+ | 0.075% / 0.075% | No | Most states |
| eToro | 100+ | 1% spread | Yes | Most states |
| Binance.US | 150+ | 0.10% / 0.10% | No | Limited states |
Should You Use Kraken?
Kraken is a strong choice if you want a secure, well-regulated crypto exchange with competitive fees and a growing range of financial products.
It's particularly well-suited for traders who want access to 500+ cryptocurrencies, advanced trading tools, and now stocks and ETFs from a single platform. The Kraken+ membership is a smart option for regular buyers who want to avoid the 1% instant buy fee.
If you're a complete beginner who just wants the simplest possible experience, Coinbase might be slightly easier to start with. But for anyone who plans to trade regularly or wants Pro-level features, Kraken offers better value.
Read more reviews from customers below or add your own Kraken review.
Kraken FAQs
Is Kraken legitimate?
Yes. Kraken is one of the oldest and most reputable crypto exchanges in the world, founded in 2011. It is regulated in the U.S. and holds a MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland for EU operations.
Is Kraken safe for beginners?
Yes, the standard Kraken app is beginner-friendly with a clean interface for buying, selling, and converting crypto. Beginners don't need to use the more complex Kraken Pro platform. The Kraken+ membership ($4.99/month) also eliminates trading fees for up to $20,000 in monthly volume.
Is Kraken safer than Coinbase?
Both are well-regulated U.S. exchanges with strong security. Kraken has ISO 27001 certification, SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, and publishes verifiable Proof of Reserves. Kraken has never suffered a major platform hack. Both platforms are considered safe choices.
Is Kraken legal in the U.S.?
Yes, Kraken is legal and available in all U.S. states except Maine and New York. The SEC's case against Kraken was dismissed with prejudice in March 2025.
What are Kraken's fees?
Instant buy/sell transactions cost 1%. Kraken Pro offers lower fees starting at 0.16% maker / 0.26% taker, decreasing with higher volume. The Kraken+ membership ($4.99/month) gives you zero-fee trading up to $20,000 monthly. U.S. stock and ETF trading is commission-free.
Why is it hard to withdraw from Kraken?
Some users report delays due to security verification steps, especially for large withdrawals or new withdrawal addresses. Kraken's strict security measures, including withdrawal allowlists and cooling periods for new addresses, are designed to protect funds. Most standard withdrawals process within minutes to hours.
More Kraken Reviews
What Users Are Saying
Kraken holds a 3.1 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot. Common praise centers on security and the trading platform, while complaints tend to focus on account verification delays and frozen accounts.
On the App Store, Kraken has a 4.7/5 rating (iOS) and 4.1/5 on Google Play, suggesting that active users are generally satisfied with the mobile experience.
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