Kraken Review 2025

Kraken remains one of the most established cryptocurrency exchanges in the global market, serving millions of users since its launch in 2011.

The platform supports 200+ digital assets, offers 100+ multi-collateral futures contracts, and provides leverage of up to 50x for advanced derivatives traders.

Known for its strong security framework, Kraken holds an ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification and enforces 2FA protection compliant with FIDO2, placing it among the most security-focused exchanges in the industry.

Kraken: Company Information + Regulation

Kraken is a San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange founded by Jesse Powell and currently led by David Ripley, the CEO.

The company has built a strong reputation over the years for its commitment to the security and safety of funds, but like many other exchanges, it has not been able to obtain licenses from reliable regulatory authorities.

There have been some disputes with regulatory authorities, too. In 2015, the exchange exited the New York market because of the introduction of the BitLicense.

More recently, Kraken has been involved in legal actions with the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), facing accusations of operating an unregistered securities exchange and violating U.S. economic sanctions on Iran.

Kraken CEO

David Ripley has been leading Kraken since April 2023 as Co-CEO alongside Arjun Sethi. Before this, he served as COO of Kraken for over six years, from October 2016 to April 2023, helping scale the exchange during a pivotal growth period.

Based on David Ripley LinkedIn profile, prior to joining Kraken, Ripley co-founded and served as CEO of Glidera Inc. from February 2014 to October 2016, which was later acquired by Kraken.

He has over a decade of experience in the crypto and fintech space, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Chicago Area.

Kraken Key Features and Specifics

Here's a table summarizing some of the key features and specifications regarding the mentioned platform as one of the crypto exchanges:

Most Important Benefits and Drawbacks

There are pros and cons for every broker, exchange, and platform in financial markets. Kraken's Advantages And Disadvantages:

User Levels on Kraken Exchange: Features Overview for Every Level

This exchange offers different account levels, each with its own set of features and limits. The levels are separated by the verification type. Here's a breakdown of the main differences between the user levels:

To progress through these levels, users need to provide additional verification information.

Fees and Commissions on Kraken

The fee structure on this exchange might not be as competitive as it is on other exchanges. It varies by the user's trading volume in the last 30 days. Here's a brief overview of the costs of crypto trading:

Deposit and withdrawal commissions depend on the method used and currency for transactions.

Coins and Assets Supported on Kraken

Kraken supports over 200 cryptocurrencies for trading, withdrawal, and deposits. As stated by the official website, not all currencies are available for trading directly with one another. Here is a list of some of the coins and tokens on Kraken:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• ApeCoin (APE)
• Litecoin (LTC)
• Fantom (FTM)
• Ethereum Name Service (ENS)
• Blur (BLR)
• Axie Infinity (AXS)

Futures and Margin Trading: Main Specifics

Kraken offers both futures and margin trading for more advanced users. Here are the key points:

Futures Trading:

• Available for several significant cryptocurrencies
• Leverage up to 50x (depending on the asset)
• Both long and short positions are available
• Access to a demo platform

Margin Trading:

• Leverage up to 5x for eligible assets
• Over 100 margin-enabled markets for long and short positions
• Margin calls and liquidation procedures in place to manage risk
• Interest charged on borrowed funds

Registration and Verification on Kraken: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Getting started on Kraken, one of the most trusted crypto exchanges, is a secure and user-friendly process. With just a few steps, you can register and verify a personal or business account to access trading on a global scale. Kraken registration steps:

#1 Sign Up on the Kraken Website

Go to the Kraken website and click “Sign Up”. Fill in your email address, set a secure password, and select your country of residence to begin.

#2 Confirm Your Email and Choose Kraken Account Type

Check your inbox and verify your email via the verification code. After that, select whether you want to register a personal or business account.

#3 Submit Your Personal Information on Kraken

Complete your profile by entering your full name, date of birth, and residential address. This step is essential to unlock identity verification and access Kraken’s full trading features.

#4 Kraken Verification

Now, your account is created. For verification, submit images of the required documents regarding your identity or residence location. Then, wait for the team to verify your account.

Kraken Trading Guide

After completing your registration and verifying your account, simply follow these easy steps to start trading on Kraken:

#1 Open the Trading Platform

Log in to your Kraken account and click the “Trade” button at the top of the homepage. Then choose “Kraken Pro”. This will take you to Kraken’s full trading interface, where you can view charts, order books, and trading options.

#2 Choose a Market

Click the active trading pair displayed in the top-left corner. A dropdown menu will appear showing all available trading pairs. Select the market that matches the cryptocurrency you want to trade or search for it using the search box.

#3 Select an Order Type

Decide whether you want to place a market, limit, stop loss, take profit, Iceberg, trailing stop, or other types of orders. A market order executes immediately at the current price, while limit and stop orders allow you to specify a price at which to buy or sell.

#4 Enter Your Trade Details

In the “Quantity” section, type the exact amount of cryptocurrency you want to buy or sell. Review the estimated total cost or proceeds to ensure it aligns with your trading plan.

#5 Place Your Order

Once you’ve confirmed the trading pair, order type, and amount, click “Buy” or “Sell” to execute your order. After placing it, you can track its status in your open orders until it is filled.

Platforms and Applications Available on Kraken Exchange

This company, beside the trading platform on web, offers 3 applications for various use cases. All apps are released for iOS and Android. Kraken Platforms:

Kraken Trading Platform: The standard platform accessible through web and mobile, suitable for beginners; Links:

• Kraken Platform Android
• Kraken Platform iOS

Kraken Pro: Advanced trading interface with lower fees starting from 0% and more features such as staking; Links:

• Kraken Pro Android
• Kraken Pro iOS

Kraken Wallet: a self-custody wallet, used for crypto assets management and storage, with integrated access to dApps; Links:

• Kraken Wallet Android
• Kraken Wallet iOS

Kraken Trading Volume

According to the Kraken CoinGecko chart, over the past three months, Kraken’s trading volume has shown a steady rhythm with periodic spikes that reflect heightened market activity.

The chart illustrates consistent daily fluctuations, with most sessions ranging between moderate to high volume, alongside a few sharp surges that signal increased trader participation, typically driven by major market events or rapid price movements.

The most noticeable spike occurred around mid-October, when the volume briefly surged to its peak for the quarter.

Following that, the flow stabilized again but maintained stronger momentum through November, indicating sustained user engagement and higher liquidity on the platform.

Overall, the 3-month trend shows Kraken holding a solid presence in the market, with reliable volume depth and active trader turnout, key factors that support smoother executions, narrower spreads, and a more efficient trading environment for both beginners and high-frequency participants.

Kraken Services

The table below shows the availability of important trading services on the Kraken platform:

Exchange Security: How Secure is it?

Security is a top priority for Kraken, and the exchange has implemented several measures to protect user funds and data. Safety Stats and Specifications:

• ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 certification for cybersecurity and information security management systems
• 24/7 surveillance by guards and safety systems for the crypto infrastructure
• Two-factor authentication compliant with FIDO2
• SSL encryption for the website
• Proof-of-reserves available with regular auditory

Kraken Security Rankings

Kraken demonstrates a strong technical security posture on CertiK Skynet, earning an AA rating with an overall score of 89.53/100. The exchange performs consistently well across multiple categories, including Operational (94.74), Cybersecurity (94.00), and Market (92.99).

These metrics on the Kraken CertiK Skynet review highlight Kraken’s focus on maintaining stable operations, protecting its infrastructure, and managing market-related risks with high reliability.

On the Kraken CER.live review, the exchange holds a BBB rating with a total score of 78%, backed by exceptional results in critical security criteria.

The exchange achieves 100/100 in Server Security, User Security, and Penetration Testing, reinforcing its commitment to a secure trading environment.

Kraken also meets international standards with ISO 27001 certification, further strengthening its credibility in global cybersecurity practices.

Kraken Payment Options

There are several methods for making payments or deposits and withdrawals on this platform. Note that these options might change based on your region. Payment methods on Kraken:

• Bank transfers: ACH, wire transfers, etc.
• Cryptocurrency deposits: via supported coins
• Credit/debit card purchases: VISA, MasterCard, etc.
• Digital Wallets: via Apple Pay and Google Pay
• Fiat Currency Withdrawals: USD, EUR, CAD, AUD, CHF, JPY, and GBP

Kraken ERC20 Deposit

Kraken supports ERC20 USDT deposits through a simple three-step process that lets users fund their accounts via the Ethereum network.

After completing identity verification, traders can access the funding dashboard, choose USDT, select the Ethereum network, and generate a wallet address for the transfer.

Because ERC20 transactions require 30 blockchain confirmations, deposits may take additional time compared to faster networks. Kraken also supports TRC20 deposits for those who prefer using the Tron blockchain.

To complete a Kraken ERC20 deposit, users access the Transfer section, select Deposit, choose Tether USD, and copy the provided wallet address or scan the QR code to initiate the transaction from their personal wallet.

Kraken ERC20 Withdrawal

Kraken allows users to withdraw USDT via the ERC-20 network through a straightforward five-step process.

After accessing the Withdraw section, traders add their ERC-20 wallet address, confirm it through email, and then enter their payout details. Before beginning, users must ensure their Kraken verification is completed.

Kraken ERC-20 withdrawals require selecting USDT, choosing the Ethereum network, and adding a valid external wallet address. Kraken also supports TRC20 withdrawals for users who prefer the Tron network.

Once the address is added and verified, users can specify the withdrawal amount, with minimum limits starting below 0.13 USDT and a fee of 0.65 USDT for ERC-20 transfers.

After submitting the request, the status of the payout can be monitored through the Transactions tab in the dashboard. This section allows users to track confirmations and ensure that their ERC-20 withdrawal has been successfully processed and delivered to their external wallet.

Kraken Trust Scores and Evaluations

Usually, user ratings and expert reviews on platforms such as Trustpilot can help us have a better image of an exchange or company. Therefore, we discuss the mentioned exchange's scores in this section:

• Trustpilot: 1.4 out of 5, based on +2,300 reviews
• REVIEWS.io: 2.9 out of 5, 44% of users recommend the exchange

It seems the exchange has received totally mixed scores from users and experts.

Kraken Features

Let's take a look at the availability of the advanced features in exchange; Kraken Features:

Kraken Bonus

Kraken offers two active reward opportunities: one global program (the referral bonus) and one region-specific promotion (a U.S.-exclusive BTC bonus).

Together, these incentives give both new and existing users a chance to earn extra crypto by inviting friends or completing qualifying trades:

Kraken Referral Program Returns

Kraken has reintroduced its referral system, offering a simple way to earn crypto while expanding the platform’s user base. Users receive a $20 USDG bonus for every friend who signs up using their unique link, funds their account with an approved method, and executes their first trade.

The friend also receives the same $20 USDG reward, making it a mutually beneficial bonus structure.

Currently, referrals can only be completed through the Kraken mobile app, with support for Kraken Pro coming soon. Once the requirements are met, bonuses are automatically credited to the user's account.

U.S. Exclusive Promo

This limited-time promotion rewards eligible U.S. residents (excluding New York and Maine) with $50 worth of Bitcoin.

To qualify, users must open a new Kraken Consumer account during the promotional period, complete all required identity verification, and make at least $100 in spot crypto trades.

The promotion runs from October 28, 2025 to December 4, 2025, and each user can claim the reward only once. After the qualifying trade is verified, Kraken credits the BTC bonus within 14 business days. This offer is only available inside the United States and is void where restricted by law.

Kraken Support: Working Time and Contact Info

This exchange covers some of the common methods for contacting support. You can talk with them through these channels:

• Live Chat: Available on the website and mobile app
• Ticket System: For more complex issues
• Phone Support: Currently unavailable

Also, there is a help center on the website that provides necessary information about the platform, how it works, etc. The company says that the support team is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Copy Trading Services and Investment Options on Kraken

Although copy trading and investment programs have become so popular among traders, this exchange does not offer various services regarding them. It solely provides a staking platform for earning passive income. Kraken Staking Features:

• Annual yield up to 28%
• Unstake with no penalties, at any time
• Support for more than 18 PoS tokens such as Cosmos (ATOM), Celestia (TIA), Ethereum (ETH), Polkadot (DOT), Solana (SOL), and more

Kraken Restricted Countries List

The company's services are available in most countries worldwide, but there are some restrictions. Based on our research and investigation, Kraken does not offer any services in:

• Cuba
• Iran
• Iraq
• North Korea
• Syria
• Libya
• Japan
• Afghanistan
• Russia
• Syria
• South Sudan
• Belarus
• Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kraken Comparison Table

Let's compare the Kraken features and those of other exchanges; Kraken Comparison:

Writer's opinion and conclusion

Kraken charges from 0.25% down to 0.00% maker fee for trading depending on your volume. You can trade over 100 margin-enabled markets on it. The exchange has designed 2 user levels [Intermediate, Pro] with 16 and 24 generatable API keys, respectively.