Kraken Review 2026
Registered exchange with real regulatory records.
Kraken is a crypto exchange founded in 2011. It holds a FinCEN MSB registration under number Registered.
The record
On file, Kraken traces to 2011, with its operating base recorded in San Francisco, United States. Ownership is private, and no equity trades on a public exchange. The order book covers 200 coins and trading pairs, spanning spot and, where a jurisdiction permits, derivatives. The mandate stays inside crypto — spot and derivatives, nothing more.
Execution runs through Kraken's own web, mobile and API stack. No copy-trading layer is offered on the platform.
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, United States |
| Listed coins & pairs | 200+ |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Kraken Pro, API |
| Copy trading | No |
Custody & proof
The Seychelles FSA is an offshore regulator. It requires exchange registration and basic conduct rules, but does not offer the same client protections as the FCA, MAS, or NYDFS. There is no compensation scheme and leverage limits are not imposed.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FinCEN MSB | Registered ✓ | Payward, Inc. |
| MiCA CASP | Registered ✓ | Payward Europe Solutions (IE) Limited |
| FCA cryptoasset register | Registered ✓ | Payward Ltd |
| AUSTRAC | Registered ✓ | Bit Trade Pty Ltd |
Cross-check the FinCEN MSB entry yourself at oracl8.com. Each record returns the licensed entity, its current authorisation state, and the exact activities it is cleared to run — a lookup that costs about a minute.
Fee schedule
The rates below are the standing fees on Kraken. Both sides of the book move with your rolling 30-day volume, and holders of the venue's native token typically settle at a discount.
| Taker fee | 0.26% |
| Maker fee | 0.16% |
| BTC/USD trading fee | 0.26% |
| ETH/USD trading fee | 0.26% |
| Withdrawal cost | Network fee only (varies by coin) |
At 0.26%, the Kraken taker fee reads in line with the regulated retail field.
Withdrawals — cost and timing
Fee: None. Kraken does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
No payout clears until identity checks are settled. An account still short of full verification — identity and address on file — will see the timeline stretch. Once a record is complete, payouts track the figures above.
Minimum deposit, entity by entity
What you must fund to open depends on which Kraken entity your country routes to. Offshore books tend to set the bar lower, in exchange for thinner regulatory cover.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payward, Inc. | FinCEN MSB Registered | None | 1:5 |
| Payward Europe Solutions (IE) Limited | MiCA CASP Registered | None | 1:5 |
| Payward Ltd | FCA cryptoasset register Registered | None | 1:1 |
| Bit Trade Pty Ltd | AUSTRAC Registered | None | 1:5 |
Kraken vs Binance
| Kraken | Binance | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FinCEN MSB Registered | FinCEN MSB Registered |
| Min deposit | None | None |
| Taker fee | 0.26% | 0.1% |
| Listed coins & pairs | 200+ | 350+ |
| Copy trading | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | Varies |
Both records check out as registered venues. The case for Kraken rests on its platform and the breadth of its coin list; Binance pulls ahead where a trader weighs a lighter fee schedule more heavily.
Registrations on file
| FinCEN MSB | Registered — Payward, Inc. |
| MiCA CASP | Registered — Payward Europe Solutions (IE) Limited |
| FCA cryptoasset register | Registered — Payward Ltd |
| AUSTRAC | Registered — Bit Trade Pty Ltd |
For retail accounts across the EU and UK, leverage on crypto derivatives is held to 1:5 by local rule.
Strengths and weak points
What works
- FinCEN MSB regulated
- No minimum deposit
- No inactivity fee
- Low taker fee from 0.26%
- Registered in 4 jurisdictions
- 200+ coins & trading pairs
What does not work
- No tier-1 registration (FCA/MAS/NYDFS) — offshore entity only
- No copy trading
The verdict
The records place Kraken as a registered, operating crypto exchange — FinCEN MSB number Registered confirms on the public file. The best fit is traders who want 200 coins and pairs reachable through a registered venue. Score: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to Kraken
Should Kraken miss the mark, the registered venues below are worth setting side by side:
Frequently asked questions
Is Kraken safe?
The Seychelles FSA is an offshore regulator. The FinCEN MSB record — licence Registered — sits on the official register in public view, open to anyone who wants to confirm it.
What is the Kraken minimum deposit?
None covers the primary regulated entity. Offshore books can set a different bar, so the entity table above is the place to read the figure that applies to your country.
What is the Kraken trading fee?
On the record, Kraken charges about 0.26% to take and 0.16% to make. The schedule tapers as 30-day volume climbs, and native-token holders usually clear at a reduced rate.
How long does Kraken take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does Kraken charge withdrawal fees?
None. Kraken does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does Kraken have an API?
Yes. Beyond its web and mobile front ends, Kraken exposes a public REST and WebSocket API — the hook for automated strategies, custom bots, and outside portfolio tools that read from an account.