Review · facts checked 25 Oct 2026Kraken Review 2026: Fees, Safety, Bonus & Who It's For
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Kraken is a safe, regulated exchange with fair fees — if you use Kraken Pro. Tapping Buy in the Kraken app costs 1% plus a spread; the same order on Kraken Pro, on the same account, costs 0.80% as a market order or 0.40% as a limit order at the entry tier, falling to 0.25% / 0.12% above $100,000 of monthly volume. Kraken has run for more than 14 years without losing customer funds to a hack, has published Proof of Reserves since 2014, holds an EU MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland and is registered with FinCEN in the US, though not licensed in New York. New users get $10 in Bitcoin after a $100 bank or crypto deposit plus $100 traded (not in the UK or Singapore). Where Bybit or OKX serve you, they are cheaper per trade — about 0.1% on their global platforms, 0.25% on Bybit EU — and Kraken can't serve India or sanctioned countries.
Open Kraken Pro — $10 in Bitcoin after your first $100
Kraken Pro: 0.40% limit / 0.80% market orders, not the app's 1% plus a spread. Fund $100 by bank or crypto, trade $100, get $10 in Bitcoin — cards don't count.
Appli Kraken — la plus simple
Même compte · un geste · 1 % + spread
Déposez 100 $, achetez pour 100 $ de crypto — 10 $ remboursés
Kraken at a Glance
- In the United States
- Available, with the $10 bonus
- Spot fee in the United States
- Kraken Pro: 0.40% maker / 0.80% taker
- Operating since
- 2011 — 14+ years
- Clients
- 13+ million, per Kraken
- Licenses
- EU: MiCA, Central Bank of Ireland. US: FinCEN and state licenses, not New York
- App instant buy
- 1% + spread; custom orders 1.5%
- New-user bonus
- $10 in BTC after a $100 bank or crypto deposit + $100 traded (not UK, Singapore)
- Proof of Reserves
- Since 2014; BTC 102.9%, ETH 100.5% on 30 Jun 2026
- BTC withdrawal
- 0.000015 BTC; crypto deposits free
Our Verdict, Area by Area
Fees
Fair0.80% for a market order at the entry tier — more than Bybit EU's 0.25% or OKX EEA's 0.35%. It falls with volume or with $20,000+ held on Kraken, and the $10 bonus covers the gap on a first buy.
Safety
StrongNo customer funds lost to a hack since 2011. Proof of Reserves since 2014; every coin in the 30 Jun 2026 snapshot was covered at 100.3% or more.
Regulation
StrongMiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland (2025) and FinCEN registration in the US. The SEC's 2023 lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice in March 2025.
Availability
FairWorks in the US (except New York), the EU, the UK, Canada and Australia. Not in India or sanctioned countries.
Bonus
Strong$10 in Bitcoin for new users — paid in BTC, not as coupons. Not offered in the UK or Singapore.
Ease of use
FairOne account, two screens: the simple app (1% + spread) and Kraken Pro (0.40% / 0.80%). The savings come only once you switch to Pro.
Pick Kraken if
- US residents outside New York — cheaper than Coinbase on the order book
- A first purchase up to about $1,400–1,800, where the $10 bonus beats cheaper exchanges
- Anyone who wants a long safety record and a Proof of Reserves they can check
- Larger holders: $20,000 kept on Kraken unlocks lower fees without trading
Look elsewhere if
- People who only tap Buy in an app — 1% plus the spread adds up
- Frequent small traders in the EU — Bybit EU charges 0.25% per trade
- Residents of New York, India or sanctioned countries
Live: What $500 Buys on Kraken — and Elsewhere
Each exchange's entry-tier fee for a market order, with what's available in the United States. Change the coin or the amount.
Coin
Currency
BTC you get (before fees)
0.00650767 BTC
1 BTC = $76,832.40 · $1 = 0.00001302 BTC · Bitcoin, live from Kraken, 19:09 UTC
What $500.00 actually buys after fees
A market order on each exchange's order book, at the entry-tier taker fee checked 2026-10-08. Availability for your country (US).
Kraken
Most for your moneyAvailableKraken Pro: 0.8% taker fee · fee $4.00
0.00645561 BTC
you get
+ $10 in BTC new-user bonus
Kraken app (Instant Buy/Sell): 1% fee ($5.00) plus a spread
Appli Kraken — la plus simple
Même compte · un geste · 1 % + spread
Déposez 100 $, achetez pour 100 $ de crypto — 10 $ remboursés
Coinbase
AvailableCoinbase Advanced: 1.2% taker fee (reported) · fee $6.00
0.00642958 BTC
you get
Coinbase app (simple buy/sell): Coinbase fee plus a spread, shown only at checkout
Coinbase shows Advanced rates only after sign-in; 0.60% / 1.20% is the widely reported entry tier.
Bybit
Not availableBybit Spot: 0.1% taker fee · fee $0.50
0.00650116 BTC
you get
Bybit Convert: No separate fee — the margin is built into the quote
OKX
Not availableOKX Spot: 0.1% taker fee · fee $0.50
0.00650116 BTC
you get
OKX Convert: No separate fee — the margin is built into the quote
Gate
Not availableGate Spot: 0.2% taker fee (reported) · fee $1.00
0.00649466 BTC
you get
Gate Convert: No separate fee — the margin is built into the quote
Gate changed its spot fees on 09.04.2026; 0.20% / 0.20% at VIP 0 as reported — its fee page blocks automated checks.
Prices are the last trade on Kraken; the price you get moves with the market and the order book. Buttons labelled Buy or Convert inside the apps quote a price with a spread built in, which costs more than the order book shown here.
Kraken Fees: the App vs Kraken Pro
Kraken has two ways to buy on one account. The Kraken app's Buy and Sell buttons charge a 1% fee plus a spread that Kraken doesn't publish. Kraken Pro, the order-book screen you reach with the same login, charges only the trading fee: at the entry tier, 0.40% for a limit order (maker) and 0.80% for a market order (taker). On a $500 market order that is $4 on Kraken Pro, against $5 plus the spread in the app. Custom orders in the app cost 1.5%; Kraken+ members pay no trading fee on up to $10,000 of app trades a month, though the spread still applies.
Pro fees fall as your 30-day volume across spot, margin and futures grows — or as the assets you hold on Kraken grow, whichever gives the better tier: holding $20,000 unlocks 0.22% / 0.38% without any trading. Instant Buy volume doesn't count. Crypto deposits are free. Crypto withdrawals cost a flat network fee per coin: 0.000015 BTC, 0.00017 ETH, 0.005 SOL, 0.1 TON (GRAM), 0.1 USDT on the TON network or 1 USDT on Tron. Bank and card methods show their fee before you confirm.
What a $500 order costs in fees
1% — plus a spread Kraken doesn't publish
0.80% — taker fee, entry tier
0.40% — maker fee, entry tier
0% — fee waived on up to $10,000 a month; the spread still applies
| 30-day volume | or held on Kraken | Maker | Taker |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0+ | — | 0.40% | 0.80% |
| $2,500+ | — | 0.30% | 0.60% |
| $10,000+ | $20,000 | 0.22% | 0.38% |
| $25,000+ | $50,000 | 0.20% | 0.35% |
| $50,000+ | $100,000 | 0.15% | 0.30% |
| $100,000+ | $200,000 | 0.12% | 0.25% |
| $250,000+ | $400,000 | 0.10% | 0.22% |
| $500,000+ | $600,000 | 0.08% | 0.20% |
| $1M+ | $1M | 0.06% | 0.18% |
| $10M+ | $10M | 0.00% | 0.10% |
Kraken Pro tiers from the Spot Crypto table on kraken.com/features/fee-schedule, read 25 Oct 2026. The better of the two columns sets your tier; Instant Buy volume doesn't count.
The $10 New-User Bonus
New Kraken users get $10 in Bitcoin after two things: a deposit of at least $100 by bank transfer or crypto, and $100 traded. Card deposits don't count. The offer isn't available in the UK or Singapore, and Kraken can't open accounts where it doesn't operate.
On a small first purchase the bonus matters more than the fee. Kraken Pro's 0.80% against Bybit's global 0.1% is a $7 difference on $1,000, so the $10 covers it for a first purchase of up to about $1,400; against Bybit EU's 0.25% it covers up to about $1,800.
Is Kraken Safe and Regulated?
Kraken has operated since 2011 and has never lost customer funds to a hack. Its most notable incident, in June 2024, was a bug that security researchers used to take about $3 million of Kraken's own money; the funds were returned. In April 2026 Kraken disclosed that a compromised support employee had exposed the contact details of about 2,000 clients; it said customer funds weren't at risk.
Kraken was the first major exchange to publish a Proof of Reserves, in 2014, and you can check that your own balance was included. In the EU, its entities are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland under MiCA; in the US, it is registered with FinCEN and licensed state by state, though not in New York. The SEC's 2023 lawsuit against Kraken was dismissed with prejudice in March 2025.
2011
Kraken starts operating.
2014
The first major exchange to publish a Proof of Reserves.
Feb 2023
Settles the SEC's case over its US staking service for $30 million.
Nov 2023
The SEC sues, claiming Kraken ran an unregistered exchange.
Jun 2024
Security researchers exploit a bug and take about $3 million of Kraken's own money; it is returned.
Mar 2025
The SEC case is dismissed with prejudice.
Jun 2025
MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland.
Apr 2026
A compromised support employee exposes about 2,000 clients' contact details; Kraken says no funds were at risk.
30 Jun 2026
Latest Proof of Reserves snapshot: BTC 102.9%, ETH 100.5%, stablecoins 105%+.
Where Kraken Works — and Where It Doesn't
Kraken serves the US except New York, the UK, the EU and most other countries. It is not available in India, where the financial intelligence unit ordered Kraken's apps removed, nor in sanctioned countries such as Iran, Cuba, North Korea and Syria. UK residents can trade, but the $10 new-user bonus doesn't apply there.
| United Statesyou | Yes, except New York | |
| EU / EEA | MiCA license (Ireland); the $10 bonus applies | |
| United Kingdom | Yes, but no $10 new-user bonus | |
| Canada | Available | |
| Australia | Available | |
| India | Its apps were ordered removed by the financial intelligence unit | |
| Sanctioned countries | Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria and others |
Kraken vs Coinbase vs Bybit: Which Is Cheaper?
In the US, Kraken is the cheaper of the two big exchanges: 0.40% / 0.80% on Kraken Pro against Coinbase Advanced's reported 0.60% / 1.20%, plus the $10 bonus. Bybit and OKX's global exchange don't take US residents.
In the EU, residents trade on regional platforms: Bybit EU charges one 0.25% rate and OKX's EEA platform 0.35% for a market order on a spot account — still less than Kraken Pro's 0.80%, so for frequent trading they cost less. Kraken's $10 bonus wins on a first purchase of up to about $1,800, and some readers prefer Kraken's longer record. In the UK, OKX and Bybit (back since December 2025) charge about 0.1%; Kraken and Coinbase work there too. Our fee calculator shows the cost of your exact trade by country.
| At a glance | Kraken | Coinbase | Bybit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order-book fee, entry tier (maker / taker) | 0.40% / 0.80% | 0.60% / 1.20% (reported) | 0.10% / 0.10% (Bybit EU: 0.25%) |
| App instant buy | 1% + spread | Fee + spread shown at checkout | Convert: margin built into the quote |
| New-user cash bonus | $10 in BTC ($100 deposit + $100 traded) | — | Task-based coupons, not cash |
| US residents | Yes (not New York) | Yes | No |
| UK residents | Yes (no bonus) | Yes | Yes since Dec 2025 (spot, P2P) |
| EU license | MiCA, Ireland (2025) | MiCA, Luxembourg (2025) | MiCA, Austria (2025) |
| Proof of Reserves | Yes, since 2014 | No Merkle-tree PoR | Yes, audited by Hacken |
Who Should Pick Another Exchange
Kraken is a weaker fit if you live in New York or India, if you trade small amounts many times a month outside the US (Bybit and OKX cost less per trade), or if you only ever want to tap Buy in an app — in that case, the 1% plus spread adds up. For everyone who will use Kraken Pro, it's one of the best-regulated places to buy and sell crypto.
What You Can Do on Kraken
Kraken app
Instant buy, sell and convert at 1% plus a spread; recurring buys at 1%; custom orders at 1.5%.
Kraken Pro
The order book on the same account: 0.40% maker / 0.80% taker at the entry tier, lower with volume or assets held.
Kraken+
A membership that waives the 1% and 1.5% trading fees on up to $10,000 a month; the spread and payment-method fees still apply.
More on Kraken
Margin, futures, on-chain staking, stocks and xStocks are on Kraken's fee page; what you can use depends on your country.
How to Start on Kraken
- 1
Open a Kraken account and verify your identity.
- 2
Deposit by bank transfer or crypto — card deposits don't count toward the $10 bonus.
Kraken's deposit table: crypto deposits are free above a small minimum per coin — 1 TON for Gram (Toncoin). - 3
Switch to Kraken Pro (same account and login) instead of the app's Buy button.
- 4
Place a limit order (0.40%) or a market order (0.80%) at the entry tier.
- 5
Trade $100 in total to unlock the $10 in Bitcoin.
- 6
Turn on passkey or YubiKey 2FA and the Global Settings Lock.
- 7
Move long-term holdings to your own wallet — a BTC withdrawal costs 0.000015 BTC.
Open Kraken Pro — $10 in Bitcoin after your first $100
Kraken Pro: 0.40% limit / 0.80% market orders, not the app's 1% plus a spread. Fund $100 by bank or crypto, trade $100, get $10 in Bitcoin — cards don't count.
Appli Kraken — la plus simple
Même compte · un geste · 1 % + spread
Déposez 100 $, achetez pour 100 $ de crypto — 10 $ remboursés
Kraken FAQ
Is Kraken a good exchange?
Yes, for most people who will use Kraken Pro: entry-tier fees of 0.40% / 0.80%, no customer funds lost to a hack since 2011, Proof of Reserves since 2014, and licenses in the EU and US. The app's instant Buy costs more (1% plus a spread), so it's worth learning Kraken Pro.
Is Kraken cheaper than Coinbase?
On the order book, yes: Kraken Pro's entry tier is 0.40% maker / 0.80% taker, Coinbase Advanced's is reported at 0.60% / 1.20%. New Kraken users also get $10 in Bitcoin after a $100 bank or crypto deposit plus $100 traded.
What's the difference between Kraken and Kraken Pro?
Same account, same login, two screens. The Kraken app's Buy button charges 1% plus a spread; Kraken Pro is the order book, where you pay only the trading fee — 0.40% for a limit order or 0.80% for a market order at the entry tier.
Does Kraken have a sign-up bonus?
Yes: $10 in Bitcoin for new users after a deposit of at least $100 by bank transfer or crypto and $100 traded. Card deposits don't count, and the offer isn't available in the UK or Singapore.
Is Kraken available in the US and the UK?
Yes in both, with exceptions: in the US Kraken isn't licensed in New York, and in the UK the $10 new-user bonus doesn't apply.
Is Kraken safe?
It's one of the safest major exchanges: no customer funds lost to a hack in more than 14 years, a Proof of Reserves you can check against your own balance, an EU MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland, and the SEC's 2023 lawsuit dismissed in March 2025.
What are Kraken's withdrawal fees?
Crypto withdrawals cost a flat network fee per coin — 0.000015 BTC, 0.00017 ETH, 0.005 SOL or 0.1 TON (GRAM) — and crypto deposits are free. Bank and card methods show their fee before you confirm.
How much does it cost to buy $500 of Bitcoin on Kraken?
$5 plus a spread with the app's instant Buy (1%), $4 with a market order on Kraken Pro (0.80%) or $2 with a limit order (0.40%). New users who deposit at least $100 by bank transfer or crypto and trade $100 get $10 in Bitcoin back — except in the UK and Singapore.
How do Kraken's fee tiers work?
Kraken Pro's fee falls with your 30-day volume across spot, margin and futures, or with the assets you hold on Kraken — whichever gives the better tier. From $10,000 traded a month or $20,000 held it's 0.22% maker / 0.38% taker; from $100,000 traded or $200,000 held, 0.12% / 0.25%. Instant Buy volume doesn't count.
What is Kraken+?
A Kraken membership that waives the 1% fee on instant and recurring buys and the 1.5% fee on custom orders, on up to $10,000 of trading a month. The spread and payment-method fees still apply.
Does Kraken have Proof of Reserves?
Yes — since 2014, the first major exchange to publish one. The snapshot of 30 June 2026 shows reserve ratios of 102.9% for BTC, 100.5% for ETH, 100.6% for SOL, 102.3% for XRP, 100.3% for ADA and 105%+ for USDC, USDT and USDG, and you can check that your own balance was included.
Can I use Kraken in Europe?
Yes. Kraken's EU entities are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland under MiCA, and the $10 new-user bonus applies. Per order, Bybit EU (0.25%) and OKX's EEA platform (0.20% / 0.35%) cost less, but on a first purchase of up to about $1,800 Kraken's bonus outweighs the difference.
How We Checked
Every number on this page comes from the source below, read on the date shown; fees come from the same data as our fee calculator. There are no scores: each verdict states a fact you can check. We earn a commission when you open an account through our links; it doesn't change what we write. How we verify.
- Kraken fee schedule: instant buy, Kraken+, Spot Crypto tiers · read 25 Oct 2026
- Kraken Proof of Reserves · read 25 Oct 2026
- About Kraken: 14+ years, 13+ million clients, Central Bank of Ireland · read 25 Oct 2026
- Kraken security features · read Oct 2026
- Kraken crypto withdrawal fees and minimums · read 8 Oct 2026
- Kraken's MiCA license in Ireland (The Block) · read Oct 2026
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