Kraken Review 2025

Kraken Review

Cryptocurrency exchanges have become essential platforms, bridging the gap between traditional money and crypto. As the cryptocurrency market continues to expand, the demand for reliable, user-friendly, and secure exchanges has grown significantly. Among the options available, Kraken stands out as a leading name in the industry.

Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the oldest and most reputable cryptocurrency exchanges, known for its commitment to providing a secure and efficient trading environment. Over the years, it has established itself as a trusted platform, catering to a diverse range of users—from beginners exploring their first crypto purchases to seasoned traders managing complex portfolios.

Kraken offers a comprehensive suite of features, including advanced trading tools, a wide variety of supported cryptocurrencies, and integration with fiat currencies, making it accessible to users around the globe. Its emphasis on security is a key factor behind its success, with robust measures in place to protect users’ funds and personal information.

With a proven track record and a customer-centric approach, Kraken has maintained its relevance in an increasingly competitive market. Its commitment to transparency and innovation has helped it earn the trust of millions of users worldwide, solidifying its position as one of the go-to platforms for crypto trading.

What is Kraken Exchange?

Kraken is a cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy, sell, and trade a wide variety of cryptocurrencies. Established in 2011, it is one of the oldest platforms in the crypto industry and has built a reputation for being secure, reliable, and user-friendly. Based in the United States, Kraken serves customers worldwide, offering services to both beginners and experienced traders.

The platform supports over 422 cryptocurrencies, giving users plenty of options to diversify their portfolios. It also facilitates trading between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP, making it easy for users to convert traditional money into crypto and vice versa. Kraken is well-regarded for its competitive fees and offers multiple trading options, including spot trading, futures trading, and margin trading for those looking for more advanced strategies.

Security is one of Kraken’s top priorities. The platform uses features like two-factor authentication (2FA), encryption, and cold storage to protect users’ funds and data. Over the years, Kraken has managed to avoid major security breaches, which has helped it gain the trust of millions of users.

Kraken is also known for its transparency and dedication to customer support. The platform offers 24/7 customer service and educational resources to help users navigate the complexities of cryptocurrency trading. Its user interface caters to all skill levels, from a simple dashboard for beginners to advanced tools for professional traders.

In addition to its core exchange services, Kraken provides staking options, where users can earn rewards by holding certain cryptocurrencies. To add to that, they also offer institutional-grade services for businesses and organizations. With its list of features, strong security, and excellent reputation, Kraken has become one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges globally.

Kraken Exchange Background

As stated before, Kraken joined the industry back in 2011, being one of the first cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Its founder, Jesse Powell, created Kraken with security and trust in mind, as the industry lacked these traits back then. His motivation stemmed from observing the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by other platforms. The issues at Mt. Gox, the largest exchange at the time, cemented his beliefs. Powell envisioned a platform that could serve as a reliable alternative, focusing on user protection and operational transparency.

Launched in 2013, Kraken quickly established itself as one of the most secure exchanges in the cryptocurrency space. Its early focus on thorough audits and rigorous security measures set it apart from competitors, helping to attract a loyal user base. Kraken was also one of the first exchanges to publish proof of reserves, showcasing its commitment to financial accountability—a feature that has become increasingly important in the industry.

Over the years, Kraken expanded its offerings and global reach. The platform grew to support a wide range of cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, allowing users worldwide to trade easily. In 2014, it became the first crypto exchange listed on Bloomberg terminals, signaling its growing reputation within traditional financial circles.

Kraken also played a significant role in shaping the regulatory landscape of crypto. By actively engaging with regulators, the company helped set standards for compliance, ensuring that its platform could operate legally and securely in various jurisdictions. Fast forward to 2024, the Kraken Exchange is now one of the safest, most widely used cryptocurrency exchanges in the world.

Key Features

User Interface and Experience

The user interface and experience are of top importance at Kraken. This exchange offset a clean and intuitive interface for both experienced users and normies. However, as it wants to cater to the specific needs of these two groups, Kraken launched its Kraken Pro app for professional crypto traders. 

For those seeking a more advanced trading experience, Kraken Pro offers additional features like advanced order types and detailed market analysis, all within a streamlined interface. Mobile users aren’t left out either; Kraken’s mobile app mirrors the web platform’s functionality, providing a smooth trading experience on the go.

Overall, the platform’s layout is straightforward, making it easy for beginners to navigate the basic features, such as buying or selling cryptocurrencies. At the same time, advanced traders have access to customizable charts, market data, and sophisticated trading options like futures and margin trading.

One of Kraken’s standout features is its seamless onboarding process, with clear instructions guiding users through account creation, verification, and initial trades. The dashboard provides a centralized view of account balances, recent trades, and market trends, ensuring users can quickly access the information they need.

Account Types

Kraken offers two primary account types: Intermediate and Pro. These two types are designed to accommodate varying user needs and trading volumes. Both account types emphasize security and compliance, ensuring users can trade confidently within a robust regulatory framework. The choice between Intermediate and Pro accounts depends on individual trading requirements, with Pro accounts catering to those needing higher transaction limits and advanced features.

It’s important to note that, depending on your country of residence, certain features may be subject to geographic restrictions. For instance, the availability of margin trading services and staking can vary based on regional regulations. 

Intermediate Account

This account is designed for users seeking access to a broad range of features with moderate limits. To qualify, users must provide personal information, including a valid ID and proof of residence. Once verified, Intermediate accounts allow for unlimited cryptocurrency deposits and higher daily withdrawal limits, along with access to fiat currency deposits and withdrawals. Additionally, users can engage in margin and futures trading, as well as staking services. 

Pro Account

Aimed at advanced traders and institutional clients, the Pro account offers the highest limits and access to exclusive features. Verification for this account requires more comprehensive documentation, such as financial statements and detailed KYC information. Pro account holders benefit from increased daily and monthly withdrawal limits, priority customer support, and access to advanced trading options, including over-the-counter (OTC) trading and higher API call limits.

Trading Options

Spot Trading

The immediate exchange of one cryptocurrency for another or for fiat currency at the current market price is spot trading. On Kraken, users can buy or sell cryptocurrencies directly through their platform, supporting hundreds of trading pairs. With real-time pricing, flexible order types, and secure transactions, Kraken’s spot trading allows traders to execute transactions with market prices, as well as place orders above or below market prices.

Margin Trading

Borrowing funds to trade larger positions than their account balance is called margin trading. On Kraken, traders can amplify potential gains by leveraging up to 5x their assets. This feature is ideal for experienced users looking to maximize returns, but it also carries higher risk. Kraken offers a secure platform with advanced tools and clear terms, making margin trading accessible for those prepared to manage the risks effectively.

Futures Trading

Futures trading in crypto involves speculating on the price movement of a token without owning it. On Kraken, users can trade futures contracts with up to 50x leverage, allowing them to maximize potential profits on both rising and falling markets. This feature is ideal for more experienced traders seeking risky but rewarding plays. Kraken provides a secure and intuitive platform with risk management tools to support futures trading.

Staking Services

Staking services allow users to earn rewards by holding and “staking” their cryptocurrency to support blockchain operations. On Kraken, users can stake various tokens, including Ethereum and Polkadot. The platform simplifies staking by handling the technical details, allowing users to earn passive income easily. With secure infrastructure and no lock-up periods for many tokens, Kraken’s staking services are accessible and flexible for all levels of crypto users. 

Supported Cryptocurrencies

Kraken is one of the most versatile cryptocurrency exchanges, offering an extensive list of supported assets. It provides users with access to over 426 cryptocurrencies, covering a wide range of popular tokens and emerging altcoins. This variety makes Kraken an excellent choice for traders and investors seeking to diversify their portfolios.

The platform supports major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT), which are widely used for trading and long-term investment. Additionally, it includes many altcoins like Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and Polkadot (DOT) as well. Lately, Kraken is also listing more and more memecoins, something that was not as typical during the last bull cycle for the platform.

Kraken also offers access to newer and niche tokens, which can appeal to traders seeking opportunities in less saturated markets. Stablecoins, including USD Coin (USDC) and DAI, are also available.

Fiat currency support is another strength of Kraken. Users can trade cryptocurrencies against these traditional currencies:

• United States Dollar (USD)
• Euro (EUR)
• British Pound Sterling (GBP)
• Canadian Dollar (CAD)
• Japanese Yen (JPY)
• Swiss Franc (CHF)
• Australian Dollar (AUD)

This makes the platform highly accessible to global users.

Is Kraken Safe?

Kraken is one of the safest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Its commitment to security has been evident since its inception, with the platform implementing top-tier security measures. Notably, Kraken has maintained a clean record, having never experienced a major security breach – and that speaks for itself.

In contrast, several prominent exchanges have faced many security challenges over the years. For instance, Mt. Gox, once handling over 70% of global Bitcoin transactions, suffered a catastrophic hack in 2014. This hack led to the loss of approximately 850,000 bitcoins and its subsequent bankruptcy. Similarly, Bitfinex experienced a major security breach in 2016, resulting in the theft of around 119,756 BTC. More recently, in 2024, Japan-based exchange DMM Bitcoin reported a loss of over $300 million in Bitcoin due to a cyber heist. Even Binance, the biggest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, experienced a security breach in 2019. This led to the theft of approx. 7,000 BTC.

Kraken’s proactive approach to security includes both physical and digital safeguards. The platform’s servers are housed in secure facilities with 24/7 surveillance, and it employs advanced encryption techniques to protect user data. Additionally, Kraken encourages users to adopt healthy security habits, such as enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) and using strong, unique passwords. 

Furthermore, Kraken’s financial stability is reinforced by its practice of maintaining full reserves, ensuring that client funds are always accessible and backed. This transparency is topped by regular proof-of-reserves audits – crucial after the collapse of FTX.

Fees and Pricing

Kraken fees and pricing depend on the type of user in many ways. For example, users who use the Kraken app are prone to more expensive fees, while those who use Kraken Pro usually get away with fewer fees. This is because the Kraken app is simpler than Kraken Pro, taking care of many operations behind the scenes of a trade. Fees vary depending on the type of transaction, trading volume of the user, and payment method. High-volume traders usually benefit from reduced fees as well.

Kraken Fees

Kraken Pro Fees

Futures Fees

Additional Kraken Products

Other than being a top cryptocurrency exchange, Kraken also has other products that make it stand out. The main, most important one that brings value to this industry, is Kraken Learn – a page providing educational resources. Other than the educational resources that Kraken provides, the exchange also provides its users with 24/7 customer support.

Kraken Learn

Kraken Learn is an educational initiative by Kraken. This product is designed to simplify everything about the crypto world. It offers a detailed collection of resources written for both beginners and OGs. The ultimate goal of Kraken Learn is to help people understand blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, DeFi, and trading strategies.

The platform features in-depth articles, videos, and guides that cover a wide range of crypto-related topics. For normies, Kraken Learn provides foundational knowledge on subjects like “What is Bitcoin?” and “How to buy Bitcoin?”. Of course, their guides are usually focused on bringing more users to their platform. More experienced users can explore detailed analyses of blockchain consensus mechanisms, smart contracts, and decentralized applications (dApps).

Kraken Learn also addresses current trends and developments in the crypto industry. Through different surveys and on-chain data analytics, Kraken tries to keep its users up to date with what is going on in this dynamic industry.

Customer Support

Kraken’s customer support is made up of specialists fluent in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility for users worldwide. Support channels include live chat, email, and phone support, helping users with everything they might need. The live chat feature offers real-time assistance, aiming for swift resolutions to user inquiries. Additionally, Kraken provides phone support, allowing users to speak directly with specialists for more personalized assistance.

Beyond direct support, Kraken offers a Support Center with in-depth articles and guides. This resource empowers users to troubleshoot issues independently, enhancing the overall user experience.

Although available 24/7, Kraken’s customer support has had a lot of complaints over the years. User feedback on platforms like Trustpilot presents a negative sentiment. While only a few users commend Kraken for its responsive and effective support, others report challenges, including delayed responses and difficulties in issue resolution. Out of 2,250 reviews, 81% of the users voted for 1 star, the lowest you can vote when inputting a review. Only 9% of the users gave Kraken 5 stars.

User Testimonials

Kraken Summary: Pros and Cons

As one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, Kraken has a lot of pros and cons. Many of the features that are considered pros come with drawbacks. For example, the amazing user interface of the Kraken app is a pro, but the fees that come with using that version of the exchange are a drawback. The opposite is true for Kraken Pro, where the user interface is more complex, but the fees are lower.

As per regulatory challenges, Kraken is known for its compliance with regional and international regulations. Ever since its lawsuit from the SEC, Kraken has been working on compliance even more. The lawsuit is still ongoing, and Kraken addressed Congress regarding this lawsuit, calling the SEC a “politically compromised agency.”

Kraken vs. Competitors

While Kraken is one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide, it has some serious competition. The biggest competitors of Kraken are Binance and Coinbase. Throughout the years, Kraken has been recognized for its top-notch security. While it’s still considered the most secure centralized exchange, it lacks daily trading volume and listed fiat currencies/cryptocurrencies.

Kraken vs. Binance

Binance is the biggest, yet to be contested, cryptocurrency exchange in the world. They have been leading the industry for a few years now. Throughout the years, they have not failed to lend a helping hand when needed – wanted to help bail out FTX from the collapse in 2022. After the fall of FTX, they introduced the concept of Proof-of-Reserves, and that increased trust in the industry overall. 

• Trading Volume: Binance dominates with the highest trading volume in the crypto space, surpassing Kraken. Binance processes billions in daily trading volume, making it a leader in liquidity.
• User Count: Binance has an estimated user base of over 100 million, vastly outpacing Kraken, which has millions of users but far fewer compared to its competitor.
• Listed Coins: Binance offers over 449 cryptocurrencies for trading, while Kraken lists around 425. In terms of listed coins, Binance and Kraken are on par.
• Security: Kraken is known for its strong security features, including 2FA, cold storage, and regular Proof of Reserves audits. Binance also offers top security measures but has had past incidents. Unlike Binance, Kraken has a clean record when it comes to security.
• Proof of Reserves: Kraken leads with transparency in its Proof of Reserves program, conducted regularly by independent third parties to verify asset holdings. Despite Binance coming up with the idea for PoR, Kraken’s use of third-party verification puts it higher up this list.

Kraken vs. Coinbase

Coinbase is the biggest US-based cryptocurrency exchange in the world. This exchange has been focused on growing outside of US borders in the past few years. While it is one of the most licensed exchanges in the world, its users often have complaints about Coinbase locking them out of their accounts or not allowing withdrawals above a certain limit. This goes against everything crypto and crypto exchanges stand for. In terms of security, one could argue that Coinbase and Kraken are both in good standing, with Kraken considered slightly safer than Coinbase.

• Trading Volume: Historically, Coinbase has had a bigger daily trading volume than Kraken. This is mainly because Coinbase has ten times the users Kraken has. On top of that, Coinbase is one of the first Bitcoin exchanges in the world.
• User Count: According to official reports, Coinbase has around 110 million users, ten times more than Kraken which has around 11 million users. There are a lot of factors that play a role in the user count of an exchange, and the SEC suing Kraken in 2023 is one of them.
• Listed Coins: Kraken offers 425 cryptocurrencies for trading and other services. Coinbase, on the other hand, only offers around 271 tokens for trading. The reason behind this is that Coinbase is very strict when it comes to listing new tokens, mainly because of regulation compliance.
• Security: Both Coinbase and Kraken are known for their strong security features. However, unlike Kraken, Coinbase has fallen victim to an attack in 2021, when a hacker exploited a security flaw in their account recovery system. This led to at least 6,000 Coinbase users being affected.
• Proof of Reserves: Until today, there have been numerous rumors and hints that Coinbase will publish its Proof of Reserves. However, in September 2024, CEO Brian Armstrong announced that they would not publish an official Proof of Reserves for Coinbase. His reason behind this is that they are a publicly traded company and they don’t want institutional clients to have their addresses tracked.

Final Thoughts on the Kraken Exchange 

Kraken’s long-standing reputation as one of the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges speaks to its dedication toward security, innovation, and user trust. From its early beginnings in 2011, the platform has built a suite of features designed for both beginners and expert traders. By listing over 400 cryptocurrencies and supporting multiple fiat currencies, Kraken appeals to global users who seek a broad range of trading options.

A major highlight is Kraken’s commitment to security, validated by its clean track record and consistent proof-of-reserves audits. Even as other major exchanges have experienced significant hacks over the years, Kraken has yet to do so. Beyond that, the exchange provides educational materials through Kraken Learn, helping new users get acclimated to the complexities of crypto while also catering to more experienced traders who want to refine their strategies.

However, user feedback indicates that Kraken’s customer support can be slow, leaving some users frustrated, particularly during urgent issues. In addition, Kraken’s Instant Buy feature, while convenient, comes with higher fees compared to the more complex Kraken Pro interface. This forces users to weigh simplicity against cost-effectiveness. Regulatory challenges also loom in the background, as Kraken continues to navigate evolving laws and remain compliant in multiple jurisdictions.

Ultimately, Kraken stands as a compelling choice for traders who prioritize reliability and security. Its proven track record sets it apart in an industry where new platforms emerge and fade rapidly, and its dedication to transparency ensures that user funds remain verifiable and secure. Whether you are a first-time investor seeking a trusted entry point into crypto or an experienced trader looking for advanced capabilities, Kraken might be a viable option.