Kraken Review
Kraken is one of the oldest crypto exchanges in the world, founded in 2011 by Jesse Powell. It supports 300+ 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 | 3/5 |
Security | 5/5 |
Transparency | 5/5 |
Customer support | 3/5 |
Terms and flexibility | 3/5 |
Kraken Overview
Kraken launched in 2011 and has grown into one of the most established crypto exchanges globally. The platform lists 300+ cryptocurrencies for U.S. users, 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 10x leverage for eligible U.S. clients.
In 2025, Kraken expanded beyond crypto by launching commission-free trading for 11,000+ U.S. stocks and ETFs. It relaunched on-chain staking for U.S. clients in January 2025, and the SEC dropped its case against Kraken with prejudice in March 2025.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Cryptocurrencies | 300+ |
Trading experience | Beginner and advanced traders |
Instant buy fee | 1% plus a spread (1.5% for custom orders); 0% with Kraken+ on up to $10,000/mo |
Pro maker/taker fees | 0.40% / 0.80% (entry level since July 9, 2026) |
Security | ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type 2, Proof of Reserves |
Account setup | Fast online verification |
Fiat support | USD deposits only for U.S. clients |
Stock trading | 11,000+ U.S. stocks and ETFs (all states except Maine and New York) |
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) removes the app's trading fee on up to $10,000 a month. You still pay the spread.
Advanced traders will get more value from Kraken Pro, which offers limit orders, stop-losses, take-profit orders, margin trading (up to 10x for eligible U.S. clients), and futures contracts. Pro fees start at 0.40% for makers and 0.80% for takers, and they drop as you trade or hold more.
Stock investors in every state except Maine and New York 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% plus a spread (1.5% for custom orders) |
Kraken+ membership trades | 0% on up to $10,000/month in the app ($4.99/mo or $49.99/yr); spread still applies |
Pro maker fee (entry) | 0.40% |
Pro taker fee (entry) | 0.80% |
ACH deposit/withdrawal | Free |
Debit card purchase | 3.75% + $0.25 |
U.S. stock/ETF trading | Commission-free |
Since July 9, 2026, your Pro fee tier is set by your 30-day trading volume or the assets you hold on Kraken, whichever gets you the lower rate. At $50,000 in monthly volume or $100,000 in assets, fees drop to 0.15% maker and 0.30% taker. At $10 million, makers pay 0% and takers pay 0.10%, and the top tier goes down to 0.05%.
At the entry level, Kraken Pro still costs a little less than Coinbase. Coinbase Advanced starts at 0.50% maker and 0.90% taker for U.S. accounts after its September 16, 2026, fee change, versus 0.40% and 0.80% on Kraken Pro.
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 10x leverage for eligible U.S. clients
- 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. Kraken's U.S. guide lists 37 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico where staking is available.
U.S. clients can stake ETH, SOL, DOT, ADA, and other assets. Staking rewards vary by asset, and bonded staking requires locking your tokens for a specific period. When it relaunched U.S. staking in January 2025, Kraken said staked assets were 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. Stock trading is open in every state except Maine and New York.
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 has run since 2011 with a strong security record, and it publishes regular proof of reserves. Its scores below are held back by fees and access limits.
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 no longer low for small traders. Since July 9, 2026, Kraken Pro starts at 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker, up from 0.25% and 0.40%. App trades cost 1% (1.5% for custom orders) plus a spread, and Kraken+ ($4.99/month) removes that fee on up to $10,000 a month.
Regulatory Standing
In the U.S., Kraken is registered with FinCEN as a money services business, and its stock and derivatives units are registered with the SEC and the CFTC. It also 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.
Customer Support
Kraken offers 24/7 support by live chat and email in 12+ languages. Phone help is only offered inside the Kraken app, in select cases, and Kraken+ members get priority in the support queue.
Kraken Alternatives
Here's how Kraken compares to other popular crypto exchanges:
| Exchange | Cryptocurrencies | Pro/Advanced Fees | Stock Trading | U.S. Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kraken | 300+ | 0.40% / 0.80% | Yes (all except ME, NY) | All except ME, NY |
Coinbase | 260+ | 0.50% / 0.90% | 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 solid choice if you want a secure, long-running crypto exchange with a wide coin list and a growing range of financial products.
It's particularly well-suited for traders who want access to 300+ 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. App trades cost 1% plus a spread, and Kraken+ ($4.99/month) removes that fee on up to $10,000 a month.
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?
As of November 4, 2026, instant and recurring buys in the Kraken app cost 1% plus a spread, and custom orders cost 1.5%. Kraken Pro starts at 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker and gets cheaper as you trade or hold more. Kraken+ ($4.99/month) removes the app fee on up to $10,000 a month, and U.S. stock and ETF trades are commission-free.
Why is it hard to withdraw from Kraken?
Kraken puts holds on new deposits. Cash you add by ACH can be traded right away but can't be withdrawn for seven days, and card or PayPal deposits can carry a 72-hour hold. If Kraken restricts your account, its review typically takes 10 to 14 business days, and withdrawals stop until it ends. After that, ACH withdrawals take 0 to 2 business days.
More Kraken Reviews
What Users Are Saying
Kraken holds a 3.2 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot from 9,448 reviews, as of November 4, 2026. A third of reviewers give five stars, and 49% give one star, often over frozen accounts, withdrawal delays, or slow replies.
On the App Store, Kraken has a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 36K ratings, as of November 4, 2026. That score suggests app users like the mobile experience.
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