Kraken
US-available crypto exchange with an instant-buy app and the Kraken Pro order book.
No project pays to be listed. How we rank
Kraken key facts
| Category | Crypto exchange |
|---|---|
| US availability | All states except NY and ME |
| Trading fees | 0.40% maker / 0.80% taker |
| Simple buy fee | 1% + spread |
| Debit card purchase | Not verified |
| Coins available (US) | Not verified |
| Staking (US) | Not verified |
| US licenses | FinCEN MSB, state MTLs, Wyoming SPDI |
| Custody | Custodial |
| Self-custody wallet | Not verified |
What is Kraken?
Kraken is a crypto exchange operated in the US through Payward entities. It offers a Kraken app with instant buy and sell and an order-book platform, Kraken Pro, with fees tiered by 30-day volume. US affiliates also handle custody, securities brokerage and derivatives.
Kraken alternatives
Other exchanges US customers compare with Kraken.
The largest US-listed crypto exchange, with a simple buy screen and the Coinbase Advanced order book.
Kraken vs Coinbase →US crypto exchange and custodian, public since September 2025, available in all 50 states.
Crypto app available in every US state except New York, with fees shown in the trade preview.
Crypto trading inside the Robinhood app, commission-free by default with an optional exchange-routing mode.
US exchange run separately from Binance.com, with low order-book fees but limited state coverage.
Multi-asset platform for crypto, fiat and precious metals, priced with a spread instead of a commission.
Kraken compared
Kraken pros and cons
- Kraken Pro entry fee 0.40% maker
- Wyoming-chartered bank (SPDI), SEC broker-dealer and CFTC futures affiliates
- Fee schedule and licenses published openly
- Not available in New York or Maine
- 1% fee plus a spread on instant buys
- Paid $30M to the SEC over US staking in 2023
Kraken FAQ
What is Kraken?
Kraken is a crypto exchange operated in the US through Payward entities. It offers a Kraken app with instant buy and sell and an order-book platform, Kraken Pro, with fees tiered by 30-day volume. US affiliates also handle custody, securities brokerage and derivatives.
Is Kraken available in the US?
All states except NY and ME, according to Kraken’s own page (checked Sep 26, 2026).
What are Kraken’s trading fees?
At the lowest volume tier: 0.40% maker / 0.80% taker. Higher-volume traders pay less.
How much does it cost to buy crypto on Kraken?
On the simple buy screen: 1% + spread.
Does Kraken hold my crypto?
Kraken is custodial: it holds the keys to your balance. To hold your own keys, withdraw to a self-custody wallet.
Sources
How this page works
Sources: Kraken: official site, Kraken: where is Kraken licensed, Kraken fee schedule. Data as of Sep 26, 2026.
Not affiliated with any project listed. Educational content, not financial advice.