What is Kraken?
Kraken is a US-based cryptocurrency exchange where users can buy, sell, and trade various assets with relatively low fees. Customers can also earn rewards through staking coins. The exchange leads in Euro trading volume and liquidity, offering access to over 100 crypto assets and 7 fiat currencies (USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF, AUD) via web and mobile apps.
Founded in 2011, Kraken was among the first exchanges to offer spot trading, derivatives, and index products. Today, its services include:
- Spot and margin trading
- Futures and indices
- Staking and OTC services
- An upcoming NFT marketplace
With over 8 million users, Kraken is backed by investors like Digital Currency Group and Blockchain Capital.
Founders and Launch
Jesse Powell, a crypto pioneer and CEO, founded Kraken under Payward Inc. Powell has worked with digital currencies since 2001 and holds a BA in Philosophy.
Kraken launched in September 2013, initially supporting Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Euro trades.
Headquarters and Availability
Based in San Francisco, California, Kraken serves users in ~200 countries but restricts access in regions like:
- Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea
- Syria, Sudan, Cuba
- Several African nations
US residents can use Kraken except those in New York and Washington. Futures are further limited in the US.
Supported Coins and Fees
120+ coins are supported, including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Ripple (XRP)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Tether (USDT)
Fee Structure:
- Instant Buy: 0.9% for stablecoins; 1.5% for other cryptos + payment method fees.
- Kraken Pro: Maker fees (0.00%–0.16%); Taker fees (0.10%–0.26%), based on 30-day trading volume.
👉 Explore advanced trading tools
Margin and Leverage
Kraken Pro offers up to 5x leverage for margin and futures trading, varying by currency pair.
FAQ
1. Is Kraken available worldwide?
Kraken operates in ~200 countries but excludes sanctioned nations like Iran and North Korea.
2. What are Kraken’s trading fees?
Fees range from 0.9% (stablecoins) to 1.5% (other cryptos) for Instant Buy, with lower rates for Kraken Pro.
👉 Learn about low-fee alternatives
3. Does Kraken support staking?
Yes, users can stake coins to earn rewards.
4. What leverage does Kraken offer?
Up to 5x, depending on the trading pair.
5. Can US residents use Kraken Futures?
Futures are restricted for some US residents; check local regulations.
6. Which fiat currencies does Kraken accept?
USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF, AUD, and CAD.
Keyword Integration: Kraken exchange, cryptocurrency trading, low fees, margin trading, staking, supported coins.