Learn About Kraken Exchange

Overview

Kraken is one of the oldest crypto exchanges, launched in 2011. It has never lost customer funds and remains a respected platform for trading digital assets【254436583514332†L37-L47】. Kraken supports more than 500 cryptocurrencies and, for eligible U.S. users, 11,000 stocks and ETFs【254436583514332†L108-L118】. You can choose a simple interface if you’re a beginner or a professional trading terminal if you need advanced tools.

Key Features

• Instant Purchases: Buy crypto instantly with a debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay【254436583514332†L136-L138】.
• Auto‑Investing: Automate recurring buys to dollar‑cost average into your favourite assets【254436583514332†L136-L139】.
• Kraken Pro: An advanced trading interface with charts, order types and lower fees for serious traders【254436583514332†L136-L142】.
• Margin & Futures: Trade with up to 5x margin or 50x leverage on futures contracts【254436583514332†L142-L147】.
• Staking & Auto‑Earn: Earn passive income on idle coins through staking or automated yield features【254436583514332†L143-L145】.
• Institutional Services: Large clients can access OTC trading desks, custody solutions and custom reporting【254436583514332†L146-L147】.
• Stocks & ETFs: Certain U.S. users can buy thousands of stocks alongside their crypto holdings【254436583514332†L148-L149】.

Fees

Kraken’s instant buys are convenient but carry higher costs, about 1% plus payment method fees【254436583514332†L158-L163】. To save on costs, use the free Kraken Pro platform, where maker fees start at 0.25% and taker fees at 0.40%【254436583514332†L165-L170】. Kraken also offers a subscription that waives trading fees on monthly volume up to $20,000【254436583514332†L172-L173】.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Kraken has a spotless security record, supports users in 190+ countries, offers a huge selection of cryptocurrencies and stocks, and caters to both novices and professionals. You can stake your assets or trade on margin, and the platform regularly publishes proof‑of‑reserves audits for transparency【254436583514332†L52-L59】【254436583514332†L129-L133】.

Cons: Instant buy fees are relatively high; some features are restricted by geography; full KYC requirements can be tedious; support may be slow and the various Kraken apps can be confusing for new users【254436583514332†L63-L68】.

Looking for an alternative with a Visa card and DeFi access? Learn about Crypto.com next.