Kraken is one of the oldest and most established cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, founded in San Francisco in 2011. This page covers how Kraken works, what you can trade, the fee structure, how to reach customer support, and what to expect as a user.
Over its 14-year history, Kraken has grown from a niche Bitcoin exchange to a platform supporting over 530 cryptocurrencies, US stocks, ETFs, and tokenized securities. With more than 15 million clients worldwide, the exchange is a popular choice for both beginners and experienced traders.
Is Kraken Legal and Safe?
Kraken is a legitimate, regulated exchange registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as a Money Services Business in the US. The company also holds licenses in multiple other jurisdictions, including as a qualified custodian in Wyoming and as a licensed exchange in Canada and the EU. In its 14-year history, Kraken has never suffered a successful exchange hack, which is notable in an industry with numerous high-profile breaches.
On Trustpilot, Kraken holds a rating of 3.4 out of 5 from over 5,800 reviews (as of March 2026). The most common complaints involve fund holds during deposit verification, withdrawal processing times, and trading fees. Kraken responds to many reviews and has an active customer service operation. The iOS Kraken app is rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, and Kraken Pro is rated 4.2 out of 5 on Google Play.
Scammers frequently impersonate Kraken support staff and recruiters. Kraken only sends emails from @kraken.com, @futures.kraken.com, @email2.kraken.com, or @email.krak.app. Any phone numbers for “Kraken support” found on third-party sites are almost certainly scams. Report cryptocurrency fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
How Does Kraken Work?
Kraken operates as a centralized cryptocurrency exchange, meaning you deposit funds into a Kraken account and trade against other users on the platform’s order books. The exchange handles custody of your assets while they are on the platform. You can buy and sell crypto instantly at market price, or place limit and advanced orders through Kraken Pro.
The platform has two main interfaces: the standard Kraken app and website for straightforward buy/sell transactions, and Kraken Pro for advanced trading with order books, charting, and margin trading. Both share the same underlying account and balances.
How Does Kraken Make Money?
Kraken earns revenue primarily through trading fees charged on each transaction. The company uses a maker-taker model: takers (who execute against existing orders) pay a slightly higher fee than makers (who add liquidity to the order book). Kraken also earns from staking services, margin lending, and through the spread on instant buy/sell transactions.
Who Can Use Kraken?
Kraken is available in over 190 countries, though some features are restricted by region. US residents can access the full trading platform but cannot trade certain tokens that are restricted under US securities law. Kraken requires identity verification for fiat currency transactions. Users must be at least 18 years old to open an account.
Kraken serves both individual retail traders and institutional clients through Kraken Institutional, which offers OTC trading, custody services, and dedicated account management.
What Can You Trade on Kraken?
Kraken supports over 530 cryptocurrencies as of 2025, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), Polkadot (DOT), Litecoin (LTC), and hundreds more. The platform offers more than 1,200 trading pairs. Through Kraken Pro, eligible users can also trade US stocks, ETFs, and tokenized securities (xStocks).
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- XRP
- Solana (SOL)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Polkadot (DOT)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- 530+ more cryptocurrencies
How to Deposit Money on Kraken
US customers deposit USD via bank wire transfer. Kraken charges $0-$10 depending on the intermediary bank, and your sending bank will typically add a $25-$30 wire fee on top of that. Cryptocurrency deposits are free on Kraken’s side – you pay only the network transaction fee.
To deposit, log into your Kraken account, go to Funding, select USD, and follow the wire transfer instructions. Wires typically settle within 1-5 business days depending on your bank.
How to Withdraw Money from Kraken
US customers can withdraw USD via ACH transfer at no charge, with funds arriving in 1-3 business days. Domestic wire withdrawals are available for $4-$35 depending on the intermediary bank. Cryptocurrency withdrawals incur the standard network fee for the coin being withdrawn.
To withdraw, go to Funding in your Kraken account, select your withdrawal method, enter your bank details (or crypto wallet address), and submit the request. Allow up to 72 hours for withdrawal processing during high-volume periods.
Kraken Fees
Kraken uses a maker-taker fee structure for spot trading, where fees decrease as your 30-day trading volume increases. The following table shows the fee tiers as of February 2026 (check kraken.com/features/fee-schedule for the most current rates):
| 30-Day Volume (USD) | Maker Fee | Taker Fee |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $10,000 | 0.16% | 0.26% |
| $10,000 – $50,000 | 0.14% | 0.24% |
| $50,000 – $100,000 | 0.12% | 0.22% |
| $100,000 – $250,000 | 0.10% | 0.20% |
| $250,000 – $500,000 | 0.08% | 0.18% |
| $500,000 – $1,000,000 | 0.06% | 0.16% |
| $1,000,000 – $2,500,000 | 0.04% | 0.14% |
| $2,500,000 – $5,000,000 | 0.02% | 0.12% |
| $5,000,000 – $10,000,000 | 0.00% | 0.11% |
| $10,000,000+ | 0.00% | 0.10% |
How to Contact Kraken Customer Service
Kraken offers 24/7 customer support through live chat and a support ticket system. The primary support channel is the Kraken Help Center. There is no general customer service phone number – any phone numbers listed on third-party sites are scams.
Kraken Customer Service – Live Chat
Live chat is available 24/7 through the Kraken Help Center at support.kraken.com. Click the chat icon in the bottom right corner to connect with a support agent. Chat is also accessible through the Kraken mobile app.
Kraken Customer Service – Support Tickets
For complex account issues, you can submit a support ticket through the Help Center. Visit support.kraken.com, search for your issue, and if the knowledge base articles don’t resolve it, select “Submit a request” to open a ticket. Have your account email and any relevant transaction IDs ready to speed up the process.
Kraken Customer Service – Email
Kraken can be reached by email at [email protected] for general inquiries. Note that Kraken support email comes only from @kraken.com, @futures.kraken.com, @email2.kraken.com, or @email.krak.app addresses. Emails from any other domain are phishing attempts.
Kraken Customer Service – Phone
Kraken does not publish a general customer service phone number. Voice support is available in select situations within the mobile app – look for the “Call us” option inside the app when it appears for your issue. Third-party websites listing Kraken phone numbers are not affiliated with Kraken and should not be trusted.
Kraken on Social Media
- X (Twitter): @krakenfx (general) and @krakensupport (support)
- Instagram: @krakenfx
- LinkedIn: Kraken on LinkedIn
Pros and Cons of Kraken
Pros
- One of the most established exchanges, operating since 2011 with no exchange hack
- Supports over 530 cryptocurrencies plus US stocks and ETFs
- Competitive maker-taker fees that decrease with volume
- 24/7 live chat support
- Regulated in the US, Canada, EU, and other jurisdictions
- Kraken Pro offers advanced trading tools for experienced traders
Cons
- No ACH deposits for US customers (wire transfer only for USD deposits)
- Fund holds during deposit verification frustrate some users
- No general customer service phone number
- Some tokens unavailable to US users due to regulatory restrictions
- Trustpilot rating of 3.4/5 reflects customer complaints about account issues
Kraken – FAQ
Does Kraken have a phone number for customer service?
Kraken does not publish a general customer service phone number. Support is available 24/7 through live chat at support.kraken.com and via the Kraken mobile app. Voice support is available in select situations within the app. Phone numbers claiming to be Kraken support found on Google or third-party sites are almost always scams.
How many cryptocurrencies does Kraken support?
Kraken supports over 530 cryptocurrencies as of 2025, along with more than 1,200 trading pairs. The platform also offers US stocks, ETFs, and tokenized securities (xStocks) through Kraken Pro for eligible users.
What are Kraken’s trading fees?
Kraken uses a volume-based maker-taker fee structure. Starting fees are 0.16% for makers and 0.26% for takers. The fees step down as your 30-day trading volume increases, reaching 0.00% maker and 0.10% taker for traders with over $10 million in monthly volume. Check kraken.com/features/fee-schedule for current rates.
Is Kraken safe?
Kraken is one of the most secure exchanges in the crypto industry. The platform has operated since 2011 without a successful exchange hack, stores the majority of customer funds in cold storage, and is regulated as a Money Services Business in the US. Two-factor authentication and other security features are available to protect individual accounts.
What is Kraken Pro?
Kraken Pro is the advanced trading interface available on desktop and as a dedicated app for iOS and Android. It offers advanced order types including stop loss, take profit, and trailing stops, real-time order books and charts, margin trading, futures trading, and API access for automated strategies. As of March 2026, Kraken Pro also includes realized P&L insights, xStocks on margin, and expanded market listings.
Does Kraken store funds in cold storage?
Yes. Kraken keeps the vast majority of customer funds in cold storage – offline wallets that are not connected to the internet. This is a standard security measure for reputable exchanges and reduces exposure to hacking. Only a small portion of assets are kept in hot wallets for day-to-day trading liquidity.
How do I find my transaction ID on Kraken?
You can find your transaction ID in the Kraken account history. Go to Funding, then History, and select the transaction you need. The transaction ID (also called TXID) is listed there and can be used to track your transaction on the relevant blockchain explorer. You’ll need this ID when contacting support about a specific deposit or withdrawal.
Tips for Using Kraken
- Set price alerts in the Kraken app to get notified when your target price is reached without having to watch the charts constantly.
- Use Kraken Pro for limit orders instead of market orders – you’ll pay the lower maker fee and get more control over your entry price.
- Complete full identity verification before you need to withdraw fiat – verification during high-volume market periods can take longer than usual.
- Have your account email, account ID, and any relevant transaction IDs ready before contacting support – this speeds up ticket resolution significantly.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your account to protect against unauthorized access and to avoid account lockout delays.
About Kraken
Kraken was founded on July 28, 2011, by Jesse Powell, Thanh Luu, and Michael Gronager in San Francisco, California. The exchange launched publicly in 2013, shortly after the collapse of the Mt. Gox exchange, and quickly became one of the go-to platforms for Bitcoin and euro trading in Europe and North America.
Today, Kraken serves over 15 million clients across more than 190 countries and supports over 530 cryptocurrencies. The company has expanded beyond crypto trading to offer US stocks, ETFs, tokenized real-world assets, staking, and institutional services. Kraken operates under the legal entity Payward, Inc., and is registered with FinCEN in the United States. The company’s mailing address is 237 Kearny Street #102, San Francisco, CA 94108.
Kraken is one of the few major exchanges to have operated continuously since the early days of cryptocurrency without a security breach. The exchange has been involved in law enforcement cooperation, including working with the US Secret Service in an operation that recovered $225 million from cryptocurrency fraud schemes.