About Kraken
Kraken was founded in San Francisco, California, in 2011, making it one of the longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges still operating today. Over more than a decade in business, Kraken has grown into a platform available in over 190 countries worldwide, offering more than 80 cryptocurrencies to a global customer base.
Kraken's scale shows up in its liquidity: the exchange handles daily trading volume of roughly $850 million, which translates into tight spreads and reliable order execution even for larger trades. That combination of longevity and volume has made Kraken one of the more established names in the industry.
Kraken's security reputation is also notable in a very concrete way — when Mt. Gox collapsed in 2014, the bankruptcy trustees overseeing the liquidation selected Kraken to help process and distribute creditor claims, specifically citing the exchange's security practices and operational track record. Kraken has no publicly documented history of a major hack or breach of user funds.
Trading Fees
Kraken offers two account types: Regular and Kraken Pro. Fees on a standard Regular account are somewhat higher, but upgrading to Kraken Pro is straightforward and unlocks one of the more competitive fee schedules in the industry. Kraken Pro uses 9 fee tiers based on 30-day trading volume, with the top tier reaching as low as 0.00% maker / 0.10% taker.
Staking
For users who prefer to hold rather than actively trade, Kraken offers staking on a wide range of cryptocurrencies, with commission levels that vary depending on the asset. Staking is also available for certain fiat currencies, giving holders an alternative to a traditional bank deposit for putting idle cash to work.
Margin Trading and API Access
More advanced traders can use margin trading on Kraken, with leverage up to 5x and margin limits reaching as high as $500,000. Experienced users also have access to a robust API, making it possible to build custom trading tools and automated strategies on top of the platform.
Tutorials and Learning Resources
Kraken maintains an unusually large library of guides and tutorials covering the basics of cryptocurrency trading, aimed at users who are just getting started. For those who prefer video or audio formats, Kraken also produces its own podcasts and video tutorials.
OTC Desk
For clients placing large orders, Kraken operates a dedicated OTC (over-the-counter) desk. OTC clients get access to deeper liquidity than what's available on the standard order book, along with market recaps and insight from experienced desk staff — useful for executing sizeable trades without moving the market.
Regulatory Standing
Kraken was among the first major global exchanges to obtain a full MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) license from an EU regulator, doing so in June 2025. While MiCA itself is an EU-specific framework, being an early mover on this front is a reasonable signal of the company's broader regulatory maturity and willingness to operate under formal oversight.
Kraken Details
- Maker/taker fees: from 0.00% / 0.10% (Kraken Pro)
- Margin trading: up to 5x leverage, limits up to $500,000
- Coins supported: 80+
- Countries supported: 190+
- Daily trading volume: ~$850M