CryptoExchangePicks
Some links on this page are affiliate links. You incur no additional costs.
Kraken Logo

Kraken

The Regulated Veteran with Phone Support and Strong Security

4.3
Last checked: May 01, 2026
Start with Kraken

3% deposit match up to $30,000 + Spin to Win

Register via our link and claim your bonus

At a Glance

Fees

Spot Maker0.16%
Spot Taker0.26%
Futures Maker0.02%
Futures Taker0.05%
None

Features

Trading Pairs250+
Max. Leverage50x
Staking
Copy Trading
Grid Bots
Mobile App

Security

Regulation

Licensed USA/UK/EU

KYC

Yes

Securitysfeatures

2FA, Global Settings Lock

Insurance Fund

Separate fund

Deposit

Bank Transfer
Credit Card

Pros

  • On the market since 2011 — one of the oldest providers
  • Licensed in USA, UK, and EU
  • Phone support available
  • Global Settings Lock as additional security feature

Cons

  • Higher spot fees (0.16%/0.26%)
  • Only 250+ trading pairs
  • Maximum leverage only 50x
  • KYC required

Kraken Review 2026

Fees Breakdown

Kraken charges 0.16% maker and 0.26% taker fees for spot trading. Futures fees are 0.02% (maker) and 0.05% (taker). In practice, a $1,000 trade costs you $2.60 as a taker. At $10,000 monthly volume, that adds up to $312 per year. None

Security & Regulation

Kraken is EU/MiCA-regulated — this means stricter requirements for protecting your deposits, segregated customer funds, and regular audits. The exchange is licensed in: Licensed USA/UK/EU. The insurance fund of Separate fund protects your assets in case of a security incident.

Security features include: 2FA, Global Settings Lock. We recommend enabling at least 2FA via an authenticator app and setting up withdrawal whitelisting where available.

Features & Tools

With 250+ trading pairs, Kraken offers a focused selection of cryptocurrencies. Futures trading is available with up to 50x leverage — caution is advised, leveraged trading carries significant risk. Staking is available, allowing you to earn passive income on your holdings.

Notable features: Staking, Futures, Earn.

Deposits & Verification

Kraken accepts the following deposit methods: Bank Transfer, Credit Card. Bank transfers are the cheapest option — usually free, but with 1-2 business days processing time. KYC requirement: Yes. Verification typically takes 5-15 minutes via video ident.

Who Is Kraken Best For?

Kraken is primarily aimed at experienced users features. The mobile app is available for iOS and Android. Customer support is available via Phone/Email/Live Chat.

Verdict

Kraken is an established crypto exchange headquartered in San Francisco, USA. Kraken is one of the oldest crypto exchanges (since 2011) and licensed in USA, UK, and the EU. The platform offers phone support and strong security features, but has higher spot fees than the competition.

The platform offers 250+ trading pairs and leverage up to 50x. Key strength: On the market since 2011 — one of the oldest providers. Staking options round out the offering.

On the other hand: Higher spot fees (0.16%/0.26%). If you can live with that, Kraken is a solid platform with an overall rating of 4.3/5.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spot fees on Kraken are 0.16% (Maker) and 0.26% (Taker). Futures fees are 0.020% (Maker) and 0.050% (Taker). None
Kraken uses 2FA, Global Settings Lock as security measures. The insurance fund is Separate fund. KYC requirement: Yes.
Kraken offers 250+ trading pairs. Staking is available. A mobile app is available.
On Kraken you can deposit via Bank Transfer, Credit Card.
KYC requirement on Kraken: Yes. Verification is required before you can start trading.
Yes, Kraken currently offers the following bonus: 3% deposit match up to $30,000 + Spin to Win. Use our affiliate link to activate the bonus. Exact terms can be found on the registration page.

Similar Exchanges