Earn Crypto Passive Income with Kraken — The World’s Most Trusted & Regulated Crypto Exchange
Trade Cryptocurrency Securely & Confidently with Kraken
Kraken is one of the world’s most trusted and regulated crypto exchanges. Founded in 2011, the platform combines institutional-grade security, transparent Proof-of-Reserves reporting, and advanced trading tools—making it ideal for beginners, active traders, and institutions alike.
On this page you’ll find a concise, practical guide to Kraken’s security model, supported assets, fee framework, staking options and step-by-step onboarding. Our goal: help you decide quickly whether Kraken is right for your trading goals and to guide you to open an account safely.
- 400+ spot assets • 1,000+ trading pairs
- Regulated across multiple jurisdictions (e.g., FINTRAC, FCA, AUSTRAC, MAS)
- Proof-of-Reserves reporting, cold storage & multi-factor authentication
Why traders choose Kraken
Kraken blends regulatory compliance, security, and deep liquidity with tools for everyone — from first-time buyers to advanced derivatives traders.
Regulation & Licensing
Kraken maintains registrations and compliance with multiple regulators including FINTRAC, FCA and AUSTRAC, which strengthens consumer protections and operational transparency.
Security & Proof of Reserves
Industry-leading security: hardware cold storage, multi-signature custody, SOC 2 controls, 2FA and public Proof-of-Reserves attestations to improve transparency for users and institutions.
User Experience & Mobile Apps
Kraken’s core mobile app is beginner-friendly while Kraken Pro provides advanced charting, complex order types and low-latency execution for power users.
Advanced Trading Tools
Support for spot, margin, futures, OTC, institutional APIs and recurring buys. Kraken Pro is designed for active traders and institutions needing advanced order types and analytics.
Asset Coverage & Liquidity
Access hundreds of cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, SOL, USDT, XRP) and more than 1,000 trading pairs with deep order books and competitive spreads.
Deep dive — security, fees, and how Kraken works
Security & custody: Kraken stores the majority of user funds offline in cold storage with multi-signature protections and robust access controls. The exchange publishes periodic proof-of-reserves reports so users can independently verify asset coverage — a best practice for transparency in centralized exchanges.
Regulatory posture: Kraken operates under multiple national rules and implements KYC/AML controls. This means identity verification (KYC) is required for fiat on-ramps and certain account features. For Canadian users, Kraken complies with FINTRAC requirements; in other jurisdictions relevant regulators include FCA (UK) and AUSTRAC (Australia).
Fees & spreads: Fees on Kraken vary by product (spot, margin, futures) and by monthly trading volume. Typical maker/taker schedules are competitive — and Kraken often offers lower fees for higher-volume traders. Fiat deposits can use bank transfer rails like wire or ACH; availability depends on region.
Staking & rewards: Kraken supports native staking for major PoS assets with competitive APYs. Staking on exchange offers convenience and on-chain rewards distribution while maintaining exchange custody; consider hardware wallet alternatives (e.g., Ledger) for maximum control.
Who should use Kraken? Ideal for: beginning traders who want a secure exchange with fiat rails; intermediate users who need reliable liquidity and multi-asset access; professional traders and institutions seeking advanced tools and derivatives markets.
Getting started — 4 quick steps
- Create an account: Visit Kraken and sign up with a verified email. Use strong password and enable MFA immediately.
- Complete KYC: Provide ID and proof of address to unlock fiat deposits and higher limits.
- Deposit funds: Use bank transfer or deposit crypto. Keep a small test transfer to verify settings.
- Place your first trade: Start with a market or limit order. Consider recurring buys for dollar-cost averaging.
Quick comparison & pros/cons
Pros
- Top-tier security and Proof-of-Reserves
- Broad asset coverage & deep liquidity
- Advanced trading tools and institutional support
- Staking & recurring buys
Cons
- Some users report occasional support delays (resolved case-by-case)
- Regulatory KYC requirements can be strict in certain regions
Community & verified reviews
Independent reviews (Forbes Advisor, FXEmpire, Coin Bureau, Trustpilot) consistently praise Kraken’s security, liquidity and pro-level features. Below are common highlights from reviewers and user feedback:
- Security: Ranked top in independent security audits — rarely if ever suffering large-scale breaches.
- Tools: Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop get high marks for advanced charting and derivatives support.
- Support: Mixed scores on Trustpilot reflect some individual support issues — Kraken actively replies and resolves many cases.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kraken safe and regulated?
Yes. Kraken complies with major regulators in multiple jurisdictions and follows KYC/AML procedures to protect users.
Which cryptocurrencies can I trade?
Kraken supports 400+ spot assets and 1,000+ trading pairs including BTC, ETH, SOL, USDT and many altcoins.
How does Proof-of-Reserves work?
Kraken publishes attestations allowing independent verification of on-exchange reserves vs. customer liabilities.
How long does verification take?
Verification times vary by jurisdiction and document quality — typically within hours to a few business days.