Not investment advice. Cryptocurrencies are volatile and risky. Exchanges have collapsed (FTX, Celsius, Voyager) — never store more than you can afford to lose. Consider self-custody hardware wallets for long-term holdings.
Kraken review — 2026
★★★★★ Overall score: 5/5
US-regulated exchange favored by serious traders. Lower fees than Coinbase, strong security record.
Monthly: $0.00/mo
Annual (first year): $0.00/year
Annual (renewal): $0.00/year
Money-back: 0 days
Annual (first year): $0.00/year
Annual (renewal): $0.00/year
Money-back: 0 days
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Protection
| Malware detection rate | 0% |
|---|---|
| False-positive rate | n/a |
| AV-TEST score | n/a |
| Real-time protection | ✓ |
| Ransomware protection | ✗ |
| Firewall | ✗ |
Bundled features
| VPN included | ✗ |
|---|---|
| Password manager | ✗ |
| Parental controls | ✗ |
| Dark web monitoring | ✗ |
| Identity theft protection | ✗ |
| Cloud backup | ✗ |
Compatibility
| Devices covered | Web + Mobile + Kraken Pro |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Kraken Pro |
Our review
Kraken is the active trader's US-regulated pick. Lower fees than Coinbase, stronger security history. Best if you're trading more than just buy-and-hold.
Pros
- Lower fees than Coinbase (0.16% maker / 0.26% taker on Kraken Pro)
- Strong security history (no major breach in 12+ years)
- Kraken Pro is one of the best pro-trader interfaces
- Strong staking program with competitive APY
- Margin and futures available
Cons
- Fewer coins listed than Coinbase or Binance.US
- Customer service slower than incumbents
- More complex onboarding than Coinbase
- Some US states restricted from certain products