Kraken Review

Security and licensing

Kraken has operated since 2011 without losing client funds to an external security breach, one of the longest clean records among major exchanges. It keeps the large majority of digital assets in cold storage and holds ISO/IEC 27001 security certification.

The exchange runs recurring proof-of-reserves audits with an independent accounting firm, letting clients cryptographically verify their balances are backed 1:1. Its parent company, Payward, holds a Wyoming Special Purpose Depository Institution bank charter, is MiCA-authorised via the Central Bank of Ireland for EU operations, holds a CySEC investment firm licence (342/17) through Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited, is registered with FinCEN as a Money Services Business in the US, and operates in Australia through AUSTRAC-registered Bit Trade Pty Ltd.

Trading fees

Kraken Pro uses a maker-taker model starting at 0.40% maker / 0.80% taker for the lowest volume tier, dropping as low as 0.0% maker / 0.10% taker for accounts trading $10 million or more per month. Tier qualification can use spot volume, futures volume, or total assets on the platform, whichever gives the better rate.

The simple Kraken app and instant-buy flow carry a higher all-in cost, often around 1% for a typical retail buy, so active traders get meaningfully better pricing by using Kraken Pro instead of the basic buy screen. Futures trading fees start at 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker and also scale down with volume.

Coins, staking, and derivatives

Kraken lists several hundred cryptocurrencies for trading, spanning major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana alongside a long tail of smaller and newer tokens. It supports on-chain staking for around 20 assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Polkadot, with rewards paid directly to eligible accounts.

Margin trading is available with leverage up to roughly 20x on select pairs, while Kraken Pro perpetual futures offer up to 100x on BTC and ETH contracts for eligible non-US, non-UK, non-EU clients, scaling down as position size grows. Kraken does not issue its own native exchange token.

Deposits and withdrawals

Kraken supports funding via bank transfer, debit/credit card, and direct cryptocurrency deposit, with fees varying by method and currency. Bank wire deposits and withdrawals are generally lower-cost than card funding, though specifics depend on the client's country and chosen payment rail.

Cryptocurrency withdrawal fees are set per asset and are published in Kraken's support center rather than a single flat rate, and they can change as network conditions shift.

Support

Kraken offers 24/7 live chat support through its website and mobile app, plus limited in-app voice support for certain account issues. General inquiries can be sent to info@kraken.com; Kraken does not publish a direct-dial support phone number, and numbers claiming to be Kraken support found elsewhere online should be treated as phishing attempts.

Independent reviews and Trustpilot feedback (around 3.2 out of 5 as of 2026) point to recurring complaints about account holds, withdrawal delays, and slow ticket response, alongside praise for platform reliability.

Who is it for

Kraken suits traders who prioritize security, transparency, and regulatory legitimacy over the rock-bottom fees or newest token listings found on some rivals. Its long operating history, proof-of-reserves practice, and broad licensing make it a reasonable choice for holding meaningful crypto balances long-term.

It is a strong fit for anyone who wants to combine simple buy/sell with staking, or who wants to graduate into Kraken Pro for lower fees, margin, and futures. Traders chasing the absolute cheapest instant-buy price or the newest low-cap listings may find better fits elsewhere.