Kraken review

Kraken is the exchange that security people recommend. Founded in 2011, it has never suffered a major breach, a record built on industry-first proof-of-reserves audits, the majority of assets in air-gapped cold storage, and an in-house security team with its own bug bounty. In 2025, it added a MiCA license for the EU alongside its US (including a restored staking service), UK FCA, and Canadian registrations.

Fiat coverage is a standout: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, CHF, and JPY with free or near-free rails, ACH via Plaid, SEPA, Faster Payments, Interac, PayID. That breadth makes Kraken the most practical choice for anyone outside the dollar zone who still wants a US-rooted, regulated venue.

Two interfaces serve two audiences. The simple Kraken app offers instant buys at convenience pricing; Kraken Pro, free to use, has maker/taker fees of 0.16%/0.25% falling to 0.00%/0.10% with volume, plus margin and futures for qualified users. The 400+ coin catalog is curated rather than exhaustive, though notably broader than Coinbase's (TRX included, for example).

Support is a quiet strength: 24/7 live chat with humans, consistently rated among the best in the industry. The main friction points are the lack of PayPal support and card fees (~3.75%) that make cards a poor choice here. Kraken really wants you on bank rails, where it shines.