Kraken Review
Kraken is a centralized cryptocurrency exchange, founded in 2011, based in United States. It holds a CoinGecko Trust Score of 10/10 (rank #3). It processes about $478.36M in 24-hour trading volume across 1,431 trading pairs. The figures and safety notes below are informational — not financial advice or an endorsement.
What is Kraken?
Kraken is a centralized cryptocurrency exchange, launched in 2011 and associated with United States. Kraken is a San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange, offering a wide range of trading services for various cryptocurrencies and known for its robust security and regulatory compliance efforts.
Top Kraken markets by volume
| Pair | Price | 24h Volume | Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| XBT/USD | $84,829 | $64.38M | — |
| USDT/USD | $0.999959 | $32.93M | — |
| ETH/USD | $2,691 | $30.57M | — |
| QNT/USD | $264 | $16.54M | — |
| XRP/USD | $1.49 | $15.72M | — |
| USDC/EUR | $1.00 | $14.42M | — |
| XBT/EUR | $84,909 | $13.52M | — |
| SUI/USD | $1.18 | $13.39M | — |
| PUMP/USD | $0.006292 | $11.39M | — |
| SOL/USD | $120 | $10.61M | — |
| NEAR/USD | $4.85 | $10.27M | — |
| ZEC/USD | $1,318 | $9M | — |
Top trading pairs by 24-hour volume. Source: CoinGecko. Updated 11 Oct 2026.
How to start trading on Kraken
Getting started on Kraken follows the same broad steps as most centralized exchanges. Always confirm the current process on the platform itself, as requirements change by region and account tier.
- Create an account with your email or phone number and set a strong, unique password.
- Secure it immediately — enable two-factor authentication (2FA) before depositing any funds.
- Verify your identity (KYC) if prompted; most centralized exchanges require this to deposit fiat or raise limits.
- Deposit funds — by bank transfer, card, or by sending crypto from another wallet or exchange.
- Place your first trade using a market order (instant) or a limit order (at a price you set); consider spreading entries rather than buying all at once.
- Withdraw to self-custody — move any long-term holdings off Kraken into a hardware or reputable software wallet you control.
Kraken fees
Like most exchanges, Kraken makes money primarily through trading fees — usually a small percentage of each trade, split into a maker fee (when you add liquidity with a limit order) and a taker fee (when you remove liquidity with a market order). These fees typically fall as your 30-day trading volume rises. On top of trading fees, watch for the spread (the gap between buy and sell prices), deposit and withdrawal fees, and network (gas) costs when moving crypto on-chain.
We deliberately do not quote a single fee figure for Kraken: schedules change frequently and differ by asset, region, payment method and account tier. Before trading, review Kraken's current fee schedule and calculate the all-in cost for the specific market and order type you plan to use.
Where is Kraken available?
Kraken is associated with United States. Cryptocurrency exchanges operate under very different rules from country to country — some services (such as derivatives or specific tokens) are restricted or unavailable in certain regions, and a handful of jurisdictions ban crypto trading outright. Before opening an account, confirm that Kraken legally serves your country, which features are available to you, and what tax-reporting obligations may apply where you live.
How Kraken compares
A quick side-by-side with other tracked exchanges, by CoinGecko Trust Score, 24-hour volume and launch year:
| Exchange | Trust | 24h Volume | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kraken | 10 | $478.36M | 2011 |
| Coinbase Exchange | 10 | $1.64B | 2012 |
| Binance | 10 | $11.39B | 2017 |
| OKX | 10 | $2.38B | 2017 |
| MEXC | 10 | $1.02B | 2018 |
Kraken: strengths & things to weigh
Strengths
- High CoinGecko Trust Score (10/10), indicating credible reported liquidity.
- Deep liquidity ($478.36M daily volume), which usually means tighter spreads.
- Established operator, trading since 2011 — a multi-cycle track record.
- 721 listed coins across 1,431 markets.
Things to weigh
- Custodial: Kraken holds your funds, so you are trusting the operator's security and solvency.
- Regulatory status and availability depend on your country; Kraken is associated with United States. Verify it legally serves your region.
- Fees, listings and features change frequently; always confirm current terms on the official site.
Is Kraken safe? Fees & getting started
No cryptocurrency exchange is completely safe. Kraken's CoinGecko Trust Score of 10/10 reflects liquidity and reported-volume quality, not solvency or regulatory standing. Because it is centralized, Kraken holds your funds — enable two-factor authentication, and move long-term holdings to self-custody. On fees: exchange fee schedules (maker/taker, spreads, withdrawal costs) change frequently and vary by tier and region, so we don't quote a fixed number — check Kraken's official fee page before trading.
Disclaimer. This review is informational, compiled from CoinGecko data — not an endorsement, paid placement, or financial advice. Verify all details on Kraken's official site; your capital is at risk.
Kraken FAQ
Is Kraken safe?
Kraken carries a CoinGecko Trust Score of 10/10, which reflects reported liquidity and market quality — not a guarantee of safety. As a centralized exchange it custodies your funds, so operator security and solvency matter. For larger holdings, self-custody in your own wallet is widely recommended.
What is Kraken's Trust Score?
Kraken has a CoinGecko Trust Score of 10/10, ranked #3 among tracked exchanges. Trust Score is CoinGecko's independent 0–10 rating combining reported vs estimated liquidity, order-book depth and web traffic. It is not a safety or regulatory rating.
Where is Kraken based?
Kraken is associated with United States. Many crypto exchanges operate across multiple jurisdictions; availability and legal status vary by country.
What can you trade on Kraken?
Kraken lists around 721 cryptocurrencies across 1,431 trading pairs. See the top markets by volume in the table above.
Is Kraken a CEX or a DEX?
Kraken is a Centralized (CEX). A centralized exchange runs the order book and holds your funds.
Is Kraken legit?
Kraken is a exchange that has operated since 2011 and is tracked by CoinGecko with a Trust Score of 10/10, which reflects reported liquidity and market quality. "Legit" is not the same as "risk-free" — always verify current regulatory status in your country and never store more than you can afford to lose.
Does Kraken require identity verification (KYC)?
Most centralized exchanges, including venues like Kraken, require some level of identity verification (KYC) to deposit fiat, trade at higher limits or withdraw. Requirements vary by country and account tier — check Kraken's current policy before signing up.
How do I withdraw from Kraken?
On a centralized exchange you typically withdraw by selecting the asset, entering a destination wallet address (or bank details for fiat), and confirming via two-factor authentication. For long-term holdings, withdraw crypto to a self-custody wallet you control rather than leaving it on the exchange.
What can I trade Kraken assets against?
Kraken offers around 1,431 trading pairs — assets are usually quoted against major bases such as USDT, USDC, BTC or ETH. The most liquid Kraken markets are listed in the table above.
