What Crypto coins are available on Kraken?

Over 300 crypto assets are tradable on Kraken. This includes

  • Major crypto coins like BTC (Bitcoin), ETH (Ethereum), SOL (Solana), XRP, BNB, DOGE (Dogecoin), ADA (Cardano), and LTC.
  • Stablecoins like USDT, USDC, DAI, PYUSD, TUSD, USDG, and USDS.
  • Altcoins in categories like Layer-1s, DeFi, meme coins, AI coins, RWAs; 1,200+ trading pairs.
  • Tokenized US stocks and ETFs

The Kraken platform is sectioned into two

  • Kraken (for beginners) and
  • Kraken Pro.(For Advanced Traders)

The regular Kraken Platform allows users to purchase crypto instantly using traditional banking methods, while Kraken Pro is the advanced trading platform. Here are the primary features of Kraken

Spot Trading

Kraken offers on-ramp and spot trading for supported cryptocurrencies. You can purchase crypto directly from your bank using the instant buy feature or the advanced spot trading features on Kraken Pro. You can set recurring buys and limit orders on Kraken and Kraken Pro. Trading fees on Kraken is 0.4% flat for makers and takers. Lower fees may apply for users in higher tiers. There is no minimum trading amount or deposit.

Margin Trading

Margin trading is also available on Kraken Pro. Trades can borrow up to 10 times their capital (10X leverage) to trade any of the supported assets on the margin trading platform.

Futures Trading (Kraken Pro)

Traders on Kraken Pro can trade perpetual futures contracts of over 300 cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets. Maximum leverage on the Futures trading platform is 50X, and traders can provide collateral in any of the supported collateral options.

Kraken Fees Explained

Here’s Kraken Exchange’s fee structure;

Trading fees (maker vs taker)

Maker and Taker fees on Kraken Pro (spot) are tiered. Maker fees range from 0% to 0.25% depending on Volume. Taker fees also range from 0.05% for volumes over $500 million to 0.4% for less than $10,000.

Futures and Margin trading fees are also tiered and based on volume. Fees vary according to the size of your position, but range from -0.0006% to 0.05% for futures trading and 0.02% to 0.04% for margin trading.

Deposit and withdrawal fees

Crypto deposits are free of charge. However, fees apply to fiat deposits and withdrawals according to currency and method. Crypto withdrawal fees also vary according to the asset and network of choice.

How to Create an Account on Kraken and Trade On Kraken

To create a trading account on Kraken Exchange,

  • Visit the exchange’s website
  • Click Sign Up from the top right corner
  • Enter your Email and click Continue to proceed
  • Set a password for your account and click Continue.
  • Set your country of residence and click Create Account to complete
  • Follow the prompt in your email inbox to verify your email address using the verification code                                                                                                           Your account is now created. You may proceed with KYC verification or skip for later. Note that unverified accounts have limited access to platform services.                                                                                                                               

Select the version of Kraken you wish to use to access your personal account.

Proceed with KYC verification and funding your account to start trading on Kraken.

Kraken User Experience

We explored Kraken from a new user perspective, and the experience was good. Kraken’s intuitive user interface and comprehensiveness make it easy for anyone to use the platform.

Overall, we rate Kraken 4.7/5, considering additional factors like transparency, miscellaneous features, and contributions to the crypto industry.

Pros
  • Wide industry coverage and support for multiple asset classes.
  • Liquidity on Kraken spot and derivative trading platforms is sufficient for high-volume trades.
  • Kraken exchange maintains top-tier security with cold storage and Proof of Reserves
  • Fees for regular crypto trading are relatively low.
  • The Kraken customer support team is responsive
CONS
  • The Instant Buy service fees may be up to 3% traded volume, which is relatively high.
  • Kraken is restricted in some countries and US states.
  • Kraken’s 50X max leverage is limiting for risk-savvy traders.

Kraken Security & Regulation

Here’s a detailed look at Kraken’s security and regulation efforts.

Regulation: Kraken is licensed in multiple regions like Canada, the UK, Cyprus, and Argentina. It holds a MiCA license that enables it to operate in EU nations. See details of Kraken licenses.

Security measures: The Kraken platform is protected with 256-bit SSL encryption. Kraken holds over 95% of users’ funds in air-gapped cold storage; Users can protect their exchange account with 2FA and passwords. Other security features include withdrawal wallet whitelisting.

Proof of Reserves: Kraken’s Proof of Reserves is publicly accessible. Users can query the reserves to confirm that the exchange truly holds their deposits. Kraken also runs quarterly audits with a detailed report.

Is Kraken Safe and Legit in 2026?

Yes, Kraken Exchange runs a tight-knit security system with regular audits and a strong reserve. Apart from the 2024 security incident that affected the exchange’s treasury, the platform has not recorded significant security breaches or hacks since it launched in 2013. Kraken protects users’ funds using Cold storage facilities and multi-sig wallets. Users can protect their accounts with passwords and 2-Factor Authentication. Despite the relatively robust security, we still advise that you apply safety precautions while using the platform and hold your assets in a cold wallet.

Final Verdict: Should You Use Kraken Exchange?

Kraken Exchange is designed to cater to various types of crypto investors. The basic application is best suited for beginners, while Kraken Pro serves traders with advanced needs and trading strategies. Kraken Exchange works for individuals and institutions that wish to trade crypto on a professional trading platform with robust security. Its tooling system has been refined over the past decade to serve retail and mainstream organizations looking to get into crypto. 

In general, Kraken is a user-friendly, law-abiding exchange and a reliable trading platform for short and long-term crypto trading. You can deploy your trading strategies on Kraken, leveraging the features we discussed in this article.

Disclaimer: This article is an independent review of the Kraken exchange. It doesn’t offer financial advice nor endorse the featured product. Note that crypto investments carry significant risks.

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Our Review Methodology

At CoinGape, we take our review methodologies seriously. Our recommendations are based on hands-on testing and objective evaluation criteria, with a clear separation between editorial analysis and commercial relationships.

Each platform included in this guide is reviewed using a consistent framework designed to reflect how crypto payment gateways perform in real-world business use cases.

1. Hands-On Testing

We create merchant accounts and process real transactions on every gateway we review. This allows us to evaluate onboarding, checkout experience, settlement flow, and overall usability from a business perspective.

2. Fee Verification

All fees are verified directly through official documentation and test transactions. We assess percentage-based fees, fixed charges, conversion costs, and note any hidden or conditional fees where applicable.

3. Security Assessment

We evaluate security features, custody models, compliance certifications, and platform track record. This includes reviewing publicly reported incidents, regulatory positioning, and available security controls.

4. Support Testing

We contact customer support with real queries to assess response times, clarity, and effectiveness across available channels such as email, live chat, or documentation.

About Author
About Author
Joel is a crypto content writer at CoinGape. He is a Technical and Content Writer with an in-depth knowledge of web3 and self-custody solutions, Fintech, and advanced computing. Joel has over 8 years of experience in creating content around blockchain technology and financial solutions. He has a long history of working with top crypto projects and writing for notable media, including Coingecko and CoinInsight. He has also held advisory positions in several startups and contributed to many successful launches. In his free time, he enjoys multiple sports and Comedy Sitcoms.