How to Use Kraken
Kraken is one of the oldest and most trusted exchanges, operating since 2011. It's known for top-tier security and competitive fees.
Why Choose Kraken?
- Security leader - Never been hacked in 10+ years
- Low fees - 0.16-0.26% on Kraken Pro
- US-friendly - Available in most US states
- Proof of reserves - Publicly audited holdings
- 24/7 support - Live chat available
Step 1: Create Account
- Go to kraken.com
- Click "Create Account"
- Enter email, username, password
- Verify email address
Step 2: Verification Levels
| Level | Requirements | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Name, DOB, country, phone | $9k/day deposit |
| Intermediate | + Address, SSN/Tax ID | $100k/day deposit |
| Pro | + ID, proof of residence | $10M/day deposit |
Step 3: Security Setup
- 2FA - Required for withdrawals
- Master Key - Emergency account recovery
- Global Settings Lock - Prevent settings changes
- PGP encryption - Encrypted email notifications
Master Key
Kraken's Master Key is a unique security feature - it's a backup code that can recover your account if you lose 2FA. Store it like a seed phrase.
Funding Your Account
Deposit Fiat
- Wire transfer - Free for deposits over $100
- ACH (US) - Free, 3-5 day clearing
- Debit card - 3.75% + $0.25 fee
Deposit Crypto
- Go to Funding → Deposit
- Select cryptocurrency
- Generate deposit address
- Send from external wallet
Trading Interfaces
Kraken (Simple)
- Basic buy/sell interface
- Higher fees (1.5%)
- Good for quick purchases
Kraken Pro (Advanced)
- Full trading charts
- Multiple order types
- Low fees (0.16-0.26%)
- Access via pro.kraken.com
Always Use Kraken Pro
The simple interface has 10x higher fees. Switch to pro.kraken.com immediately - same account, much cheaper trades.
Kraken Fees
| Volume (30d) | Maker Fee | Taker Fee |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - $50k | 0.16% | 0.26% |
| $50k - $100k | 0.14% | 0.24% |
| $100k - $250k | 0.12% | 0.22% |
| $250k+ | 0.10% | 0.20% |
Staking on Kraken
Earn rewards on supported cryptocurrencies:
- Go to Earn → Staking
- Select asset (ETH, DOT, SOL, etc.)
- Choose amount to stake
- Rewards paid weekly
US Staking Restrictions
Kraken staking is not available for US customers due to SEC regulations. US users can still trade but not stake on Kraken.
Kraken vs Others
| Feature | Kraken | Coinbase | Binance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Fees | 0.16-0.26% | 0.5-1.5% | 0.1% |
| US Available | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Coins | 200+ | 200+ | 600+ |