Independent broker review · Updated June 11, 2026
Kraken: professional-grade crypto exchange with 200+ assets, staking, and proof of reserves? My 2026 review
One of the world's most established and regulated crypto exchanges — founded in 2011, FCA/FinCEN/BaFin licensed, 200+ assets, proof of reserves and professional-grade tools.
The serious crypto investor who wants broad asset access, staking, proof of reserves and FCA/BaFin regulation
Our take
My take on Kraken
Founded in San Francisco in 2011, Kraken is one of the oldest and most respected cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. It survived multiple market cycles, pioneered proof-of-reserves auditing, and built a reputation for security and regulatory compliance that few peers can match. Today it is licensed by the FCA (UK), registered with FinCEN (US), and regulated by BaFin (Germany).
With 200+ assets, native staking, Kraken Pro for advanced traders, and a track record spanning fifteen years, Kraken is the natural choice for investors who want to build a serious crypto portfolio on a platform they can trust — now and over the long term.
“Fifteen years of operation, FCA/FinCEN/BaFin licences, proof of reserves and 200+ assets: Kraken is the regulated foundation that serious crypto investors build on. ”
— Roch de Montesquieu, Research Analyst · Fees, Data, Transparency
Why trust HelloBrokers?
This review is not a copy-paste of Kraken's marketing page. We tested the platforms, modelled the cost of a typical trade down to the pip, and benchmarked Kraken against the 13 brokers in our comparison. A broker is judged on verifiable figures, not marketing promises.
The essentials
Kraken at a glance
Key characteristics, verified on June 11, 2026.
Safety & regulation
Is your money safe?
Kraken operates through multiple regulated entities: Payward Ltd (FCA-licensed in the UK), Payward Inc. (FinCEN-registered in the US), and Payward Europe Solutions Ltd (BaFin-regulated in Germany). Few crypto exchanges hold simultaneous licences across three major jurisdictions. The exchange publishes proof-of-reserves reports verified by independent auditors, confirming that client assets are fully backed. Cold-storage custody for the majority of client crypto assets, combined with multi-layer security architecture, rounds out a robust protection framework.
🔒 HelloBrokers safety score: 4.8 / 5
Fees & spreads
What does it really cost?
The standard account (Kraken.com) offers maker/taker fees of 0.25%/0.40% — competitive for a major regulated exchange. Kraken Pro, the advanced trading interface, unlocks fees starting at 0.00% maker and 0.10% taker, with further tiering based on 30-day volume. These are among the most competitive rates of any fully regulated exchange globally.
Withdrawals carry a per-network fee that covers blockchain transaction costs. Bank deposits by wire transfer are free; card deposits are available with a fee. Staking rewards are generated at no additional cost — the only expense is the standard transaction fee when unstaking.
| Account | Min. deposit | Spread from | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kraken (standard) The standard retail account. Simple interface, all 200+ assets, staking available. | $1 | 0.25% maker | 0.40% taker |
| Kraken Pro Advanced trading interface. Lower fees tiered by 30-day volume, advanced order types and charting. | $1 | 0.00% maker | From 0.10% taker |
Real-world scenarios
Real-world scenarios
Three trader profiles and their monthly cost.
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Building a diversified crypto portfolio
An investor wants exposure to BTC, ETH, SOL and several altcoins on a regulated platform, with staking on ETH and SOL.
Kraken covers all of this under one roof: 200+ assets, built-in staking with transparent APY and proof-of-reserves auditing. A strong long-term base.
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Active trader using Kraken Pro
A regular crypto trader looking for low fees, advanced order types and professional charting.
Kraken Pro delivers: maker fees from 0.00%, TradingView-powered charts, advanced order types and volume-based tiers. One of the most competitive setups on a fully regulated exchange.
Instruments & markets covered
Instruments & markets covered
Kraken lists more than 200 cryptocurrencies — from Bitcoin and Ethereum to a very wide range of altcoins, DeFi tokens and emerging assets. The catalogue is one of the broadest available on a fully licensed, Western-regulated exchange.
Staking is built directly into the platform: users can earn rewards on assets including ETH, SOL, DOT, ADA and many others, with variable APY reported transparently. Kraken Pro offers advanced charting, order types (limit, stop, trailing stop, post-only) and margin trading for eligible users. NFT marketplace access is also available through the platform.
See instruments by class in detail
| Asset class | Count | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 1 | The flagship crypto asset |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 1 | Stakeable, largest DeFi ecosystem |
| Altcoins | 200+ | SOL, ADA, DOT, XRP, AVAX and many more |
| Stablecoins | Several | USDT, USDC, PYUSD |
| DeFi tokens | Yes | Wide range of DeFi and ecosystem tokens |
| NFTs | Marketplace | Via Kraken NFT |
| Stocks / ETFs | 0 | Not offered — crypto only |
What Kraken offers
Capabilities, in plain terms
Covered, partial or not covered. No spin.
- Spot crypto (buy and hold) ✓ Yes 200+ assets including BTC, ETH and a very broad altcoin catalogue
- Staking ✓ Yes Built-in, variable APY by asset (ETH, SOL, DOT, ADA and many others)
- Proof of reserves ✓ Yes Regular independent audits, publicly accessible
- Kraken Pro (advanced tools) ✓ Yes Advanced charting, order types, maker fees from 0.00%
- Crypto futures ✓ Yes Available to eligible clients; leverage applies, higher risk
- Stock / ETF / bond investing ✗ No Crypto only — no traditional securities
- Demo account ✗ No
- NFT marketplace ✓ Yes Available via Kraken NFT
Trading platforms
Trading platforms
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Kraken (web & mobile)
- Clean interface designed for retail investors
- Instant buy/sell and recurring buys
- Staking dashboard with APY by asset
- Portfolio overview and transaction history
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Kraken Pro
- Advanced charting (TradingView-powered)
- Limit, stop, trailing stop and post-only orders
- Volume-based fee tiers (maker from 0.00%)
- Depth charts and real-time order book
Who this broker is for
Who this broker is for
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Long-term crypto investor
Outstanding fit. 200+ assets, proof-of-reserves auditing, FCA/BaFin regulation and built-in staking make Kraken a highly reliable long-term home for a diversified crypto portfolio.
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Staker
One of the strongest options. Native staking directly from the exchange, with transparent APY rates and a wide range of eligible assets. No need for a separate wallet or protocol.
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Active crypto trader
Very well-served by Kraken Pro: professional charting, advanced order types, and some of the lowest fees on a regulated exchange (maker from 0.00%). Volume-based tiers reward frequent traders.
Comparison
Kraken vs other brokers
The right choice depends on your profile. Here is how Kraken stands against the brokers we feature.
① The HelloBrokers ranking
overall score /5 · click to read the review
What users say
What clients are saying
Synthesis of public reviews. Representative excerpts, abridged.
Been using Kraken since 2017. Rock solid, proof of reserves is a major plus, and Kraken Pro fees are excellent for active trading.
Trustpilot review · long-time user
One of the few regulated exchanges where I feel genuinely comfortable leaving a significant position. 200+ coins and staking built in seal the deal.
Reddit sentiment · paraphrased
The verdict
The verdict
Kraken is one of the strongest choices for a serious crypto investor: 200+ assets, proof-of-reserves transparency, FCA/FinCEN/BaFin regulation, built-in staking and professional-grade tools on Kraken Pro — all from a platform with fifteen years of operating history. Its combination of regulatory depth, asset breadth and long-term track record makes it one of the most trusted names in the industry. For investors building a diversified crypto portfolio with a long time horizon, Kraken is an outstanding partner.
Get started
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Frequently asked questions
FAQ Kraken
Is Kraken reliable?
Yes. Kraken is one of the longest-running and most rigorously regulated crypto exchanges in the world. Founded in 2011, it is licensed by the UK FCA, registered with FinCEN in the United States, and regulated by BaFin in Germany. It publishes regular proof-of-reserves audits, verifying that client assets are fully backed.
Why choose Kraken?
For the breadth of its catalogue (200+ assets), the quality of its infrastructure, proof-of-reserves transparency, and professional-grade tools on Kraken Pro. It is one of the few exchanges that combines retail accessibility with institutional-grade security standards.
What are the fees at Kraken?
Standard account: maker 0.25%, taker 0.40%. Fees fall with trading volume. Kraken Pro: maker from 0.00%, taker from 0.10% — some of the most competitive rates available. Staking is available directly from the wallet with variable APY by asset.
Who is Kraken for?
Anyone looking to buy, hold or stake a wide range of cryptocurrencies on a highly regulated, transparent platform. Kraken is particularly strong for investors who want more than Bitcoin and Ethereum — its 200+ asset catalogue, staking and proof of reserves make it a compelling long-term home for a diversified crypto portfolio.
Is it easy to withdraw from Kraken?
Yes. Kraken supports a wide range of staking assets with variable APY, directly from the exchange. On-chain staking means rewards are generated from network participation — rates vary by asset and market conditions.
The author of this review
Who wrote this analysis?