Trading and Investing
Kraken is primarily a cryptocurrency exchange, although it also offers more than just crypto trading. Stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are available to eligible U.S. clients in supported states. In certain non-U.S. regions, Kraken also offers xStocks, which are tokenized versions of U.S. stocks and ETFs. Its crypto platform is available in most regions worldwide, with only a small number of exceptions, and the coin selection runs into the hundreds.
Kraken also provides derivatives trading. While the lineup is not in the hundreds, there are still multiple contracts across different categories, including crypto perpetuals, FX perpetuals, and xStocks perps in eligible regions. Spot currency pairs, such as AUD/USD and EUR/CHF, are available as well.
Perpetual futures (often called perps) are offered at Kraken, too. These contracts do not have an expiration date, which is why they are described as perpetual.
Kraken previously operated an NFT marketplace, but this service has been shut down, and NFT purchases are no longer supported directly on Kraken. That said, Kraken users can still buy NFTs on third-party marketplaces and store them in a wallet (covered later).
Beyond trading access, Kraken offers a variety of add-on services. Customers can stake certain assets and earn rewards paid in the same coin. Institutional clients can unlock additional tools and benefits, such as OTC offerings, custody solutions, financing options, and more.
Kraken also offers its Breakout program, which gives clients the ability to trade using outside capital. The program can provide up to $200,000 in trading funds, and participants may keep more than 80% of their profits.
Kraken+ is the firm’s premium subscription that adds extra services beyond what standard accounts receive. Examples include:
- Kraken Drops, the broker’s launchpad program and airdrops
- Faster customer support
- Zero-fee trading on Buy, Sell, Convert, and Recurring purchases up to the monthly cap
- Boosted yields on USDG
- Boosted yields on USDC
To access Kraken’s full product range, you first need an account. Kraken supports both individual and business accounts, though certain services may be restricted based on country.
Banking Tools
Kraken has introduced several cash and payment tools to complement its trading services. One of these is Krak, the company’s peer-to-peer transfer app. Krak can be used to send money in many parts of the world, and it supports several fiat currencies plus hundreds of crypto assets. In some situations, balances held in Krak can also earn rewards.
Kraken also offers the Krak Card, a card connected to a Krak balance. It can be used for purchases and ATM withdrawals, and it can draw from cash or crypto holdings. Because the Krak Card is currently limited to the United Kingdom and the EEA for individual clients, transactions are centered around GBP or EUR. Some versions of the card can also provide rewards for spending.
Stablecoins held at Kraken may earn rewards, depending on the coin and the client’s location. For example, USDG can earn up to 4.25% APY for Kraken+ subscribers, while USDC can earn up to 3.75% APY for Kraken+ subscribers.
Kraken supports multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, including ACH, wire, PayPal, debit card, and Google/Apple Pay. In some countries, crypto purchases can also be made with a credit card, although Kraken itself does not issue a credit card.
Customer Support
Kraken’s help center at support.kraken.com covers many common questions. The site includes support articles, chat access, and additional help channels when needed. In certain situations, voice support is available through the Kraken mobile app.
Similar support options are available in the regular Kraken app. Tap your initials in the upper-left corner and select the Support link.
During our research, we were unable to locate a public phone number for Kraken, which is a drawback. Kraken+ members receive faster support, which may lead to better results.
Website
Kraken’s main website is a simple platform that can be used to research assets and place orders. It includes light and dark themes and provides some useful research tools. Click Explore in the left-side menu to view different categories, such as:
- Most popular
- Highest APR
- Newly listed
Selecting an asset opens its profile, and the order ticket appears on the right side of the screen. Stock trading itself is not available on Kraken.com, although it can be unlocked in the Kraken app or Kraken Pro for eligible clients.
Mobile App
Kraken’s standard mobile app offers many of the same tools as the website, along with similar order features. Unlike the website, the mobile app includes access to stocks and ETFs for eligible U.S. accounts, and in certain non-U.S. regions it can also unlock xStocks. Charts on the regular app are limited and do not include advanced tools, although Kraken offers a workaround through its higher-end platforms.
High-End Software
For a more advanced experience, Kraken provides the Kraken Pro mobile app. This platform adds margin trading (if eligible), futures trading (if eligible), and more advanced order types. It also includes an order book, time & sales data, and more advanced charting. Kraken also offers a Pro mode on the website.
Kraken’s most advanced platform is Kraken Desktop. This downloadable desktop program is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It continues with the Pro-style trading ticket and adds a highly customizable layout with many tools for charting-focused traders.
Wallet
Kraken provides a digital wallet alongside its exchange tools. Kraken Wallet is a self-custodial Web3 wallet, and it can store DeFi assets, NFTs, and cryptocurrencies. Users can send and receive crypto by using a device camera and QR codes.
Kraken Wallet does not require a Kraken exchange account to use. It also supports multiple blockchains and dapp connections, including links to NFT marketplaces where NFTs can still be purchased.
Margin
Kraken offers leverage through multiple channels. One path is margin trading for cryptocurrencies. Leverage typically ranges from 2x to 10x depending on the currency pair, and some pairs can reach 10x buying power. These leveraged spot trades are centered on Kraken Pro and related advanced interfaces for eligible clients.
Derivatives contracts are also leveraged by design. In some derivatives markets, leverage can reach as high as 50x. Kraken includes automated liquidation and risk-management rules that are designed to reduce the chance of an account falling deeply negative.
Pricing
Kraken accounts for crypto, futures, or securities generally do not come with ongoing account fees, such as annual charges or low-balance fees. There is also no minimum balance requirement.
Kraken does apply trading fees in some situations. For instant buy, sell, and convert transactions, there is a fixed trading fee, and some payment methods can add extra processing costs. These costs are separate from any spread that applies to the trade.
Stocks and ETFs in eligible U.S. securities accounts trade without commissions, although regulatory fees may still apply. For xStocks, there is no trading fee when purchases are made with USD or USDG on Kraken, while conversions carry a 1% trading fee and Kraken Pro uses order-book pricing.
Traders seeking lower costs should consider Kraken Pro or Kraken+. Kraken+ includes zero-fee trading on Buy, Sell, Convert, and Recurring purchases up to a $10,000 monthly cap on Kraken web and the regular Kraken app. Kraken Pro uses a maker-taker schedule, and fees drop as trading volume increases.
Kraken+ costs $4.99 per month, and the yearly plan is $49.99. Users who subscribe through Kraken web currently purchase the annual plan there, while app-store billing may vary by platform.
Kraken Referral Promotion
Visit Kraken Website
Additional Features
Individual Retirement Accounts: Kraken does not offer a standard retail IRA. Some retirement-plan entities, however, can open Kraken business accounts.
Coin Launches: Kraken frequently adds new coins to its platform, and day-one access may be available in some cases. There are no equity IPOs offered at this time.
Fractional-Share Trading: xStocks can be traded in whole-dollar amounts starting at $1. Eligible U.S. stock and ETF trading also supports fractional shares.
Recommendations
Beginners: The standard website or regular mobile app is a reasonable place for new traders to begin.
Small Accounts: Kraken works best with higher monthly volume and a Kraken+ subscription, but smaller accounts can still use the platform with percent-based fees and no account charges.
Frequent Trading: Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop are better choices for active traders.
Long-Term Investing & Retirement Planning: Kraken does not provide a traditional retirement platform,
but Robinhood does, and it also offers crypto trading in a limited selection of coins.
Securities Trading: Kraken can work for U.S. investors trading stocks, although the platform does not offer a large suite of stock research tools.
Kraken Review Judgment
Kraken offers a strong list of products and services with low minimums and relatively low fees. Its lineup is broader than just crypto, although some tools are restricted by location, so certain traders may still need to consider another provider.
Kraken Bonus
Visit Kraken Website
Updated on 4/8/2026.
Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience
as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing
expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found
managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.
|