Kraken (US), founded in 2011, is one of the longest-running exchanges, with a reputation built on security and reserve audits. It serves 190+ countries with spot, futures, margin and staking.
What it does
- Buy and sell crypto by card and bank transfer
- Trade spot in the classic mode or Kraken Pro, with order books and charts
- Trade perpetual futures with leverage
- Earn yield via staking on supported assets
Products
The offering spans the simple app, the classic interface and Kraken Pro (a full trading terminal with order books). There is also margin, futures, staking, institutional custody and locked staking programs. The company has published audited proof-of-reserves since 2014.
Public pricing
- Kraken Pro: maker from 0.25% and taker 0.40% at the first tier, declining with volume
- Classic/simple interface: higher fees, published in the official table
- Staking: fees indicated per asset
Strengths
- Longevity and a security track record rare in the sector
- Audited proof-of-reserves published for over a decade
- Full Pro terminal for serious trading
Points of attention
- Products and coins vary by country (US clients face restrictions)
- Smaller catalog than the largest global exchanges
- Advanced tools require Kraken Pro — the simple interface is limited