Cryptocurrency exchanges play a pivotal role in shaping your investment journey. Among the most established platforms, Kraken stands out for its security, advanced trading tools, and competitive fee structure. While not as mainstream as Coinbase, Kraken has built a strong reputation among active traders and long-term investors alike.
This guide offers a detailed look at Kraken fees, including trading, purchasing, futures, and margin costs. Whether you're new to crypto or scaling your trading activity, understanding these fees is essential to maximizing returns and minimizing unnecessary expenses.
Understanding Kraken Account Levels and Verification
Before diving into fees, it’s important to know how Kraken structures its user accounts. The platform offers three verification tiers, each unlocking additional features and higher limits:
- Starter: Basic access to deposit, trade, and withdraw crypto. Fiat (USD) withdrawals are not allowed.
- Intermediate: Requires photo ID, proof of address, and SSN. Enables fiat deposits, advanced trading tools, and Kraken Futures access.
- Pro: Designed for high-volume traders. Offers elevated limits, access to the “dark pool” for anonymous trading, and an over-the-counter (OTC) desk for large orders.
Higher-tier accounts benefit from reduced fees due to increased trading volume—making Kraken particularly appealing for serious traders.
👉 Discover how Kraken’s Pro features can elevate your trading strategy.
Are Kraken Fees High? A Clear Comparison
Compared to major competitors like Coinbase, Kraken offers lower and more transparent fees, especially for active traders. The exchange uses a maker-taker fee model, where costs decrease as your 30-day trading volume increases.
What Are Maker and Taker Fees?
- Maker Fee: Charged when you place a limit order that adds liquidity to the market (i.e., it doesn’t execute immediately).
- Taker Fee: Applied when you place a market order that removes liquidity by matching an existing order.
This model rewards users who contribute to market depth.
Kraken Trading Fees (Spot Market)
| 30-Day Trading Volume (USD) | Maker Fee | Taker Fee |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $50,000 | 0.16% | 0.26% |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | 0.12% | 0.24% |
| $100,001 – $250,000 | 0.12% | 0.22% |
| $250,001 – $500,000 | 0.10% | 0.20% |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 | 0.08% | 0.18% |
| $1,000,001 – $2,500,000 | 0.06% | 0.16% |
| $2,500,001 – $5,000,000 | 0.04% | 0.14% |
High-volume traders can enjoy fees as low as 0.04% maker / 0.14% taker, significantly undercutting platforms like Coinbase, which charges a flat 0.5% on most trades.
FAQ: Common Questions About Kraken Fees
Q: Does Kraken charge a flat fee per trade?
A: No. Kraken uses a tiered maker-taker model based on your 30-day trading volume, rewarding higher activity with lower fees.
Q: What’s the difference between a maker and taker?
A: Makers place limit orders that wait to be filled (adding liquidity), while takers execute immediate market orders (removing liquidity).
Q: Can I avoid fees on Kraken?
A: While you can’t eliminate fees entirely, increasing your trading volume or using limit orders (maker) reduces costs over time.
Kraken Purchase Fees: Buying Crypto with Fiat
When buying crypto directly with fiat currency (e.g., USD), Kraken applies two types of fees:
Processing Fees:
- Credit/Debit Card: 3.75%
- Bank Transfer (via ACH): 0.5%
Asset-Based Fees:
- Stablecoins (USDT, USDC): 0.9%
- All Other Cryptos (BTC, ETH, etc.): 1.5%
These fees are applied on top of processing costs when using the standard Kraken app.
👉 Learn how switching to low-fee purchase methods can save you hundreds annually.
Kraken vs. Coinbase: Which Has Lower Fees?
Let’s compare key cost differences:
| Fee Type | Kraken | Coinbase |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Fee (Max) | 0.26% | 0.50% |
| Credit Card Fee | 3.75% | 3.99% |
| Bank Transfer Fee | 1.7% | 1.49% |
| Wallet Transfer Fee | Free | $1.49+ |
| Max Daily Trade Limit | $100,000 | $25,000 |
While Coinbase may offer slightly cheaper bank transfers, Kraken wins overall with lower trading fees, higher limits, and no hidden wallet charges.
Additionally, Kraken supports futures trading, staking, and margin trading up to 5x leverage, features that appeal to experienced investors.
Kraken Futures Fees
For derivatives traders, Kraken Futures offers highly competitive rates:
| 30-Day Futures Volume (USD) | Maker Fee | Taker Fee |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $100,000 | 0.0200% | 0.0500% |
| $1M – $5M | 0.0125% | 0.0300% |
| $1B – $5B | 0.0125% | 0.0375% |
| $5B+ | 0.25% | 1.25% |
Note: Very high volumes may trigger adjusted rates.
These low fees make Kraken a top choice for active futures traders seeking cost efficiency and reliability.
Margin Trading Fees
Kraken allows margin trading with up to 5x leverage on select pairs:
| Base Currency | Opening Fee | Rollover Fee |
|---|---|---|
| BTC | 0.01% | 0.01% every 4 hours |
| ETH | 0.02% | 0.02% every 4 hours |
| USDT | 0.01% | 0.01% every 4 hours |
| LTC | 0.02% | 0.02% every 4 hours |
Rollover fees apply if positions remain open past settlement periods—important to consider for long-term leveraged trades.
FAQ: Is Margin Trading Safe on Kraken?
Q: Has Kraken ever been hacked?
A: No. Since its launch in 2013, Kraken has maintained a flawless security record—no breaches or stolen funds.
Q: How does Kraken protect user funds?
A: Over 95% of assets are stored in cold storage, and the platform supports PGP encryption and a proprietary two-factor authentication (2FA) system.
Q: Can beginners use Kraken?
A: Yes—but the platform is best suited for users with some crypto experience due to its advanced tools and interface complexity.
Security: One of Kraken’s Strongest Advantages
Security is core to Kraken’s identity:
- Cold Storage: ~95% of digital assets are kept offline.
- Proprietary 2FA App: More secure than third-party authenticators.
- PGP Encryption: Protects sensitive communications.
- Regulated & Audited: Compliant with U.S. financial regulations.
Founded in 2011 and launched in 2013, Kraken has weathered market cycles and cyber threats without compromising user safety.
👉 See how top-tier security can protect your long-term investments.
Final Verdict: Who Should Use Kraken?
Kraken is ideal for:
- Active traders seeking low maker-taker fees.
- Advanced investors using futures, margin, or staking.
- Security-conscious users prioritizing fund protection.
- International users—Kraken supports over 190 countries.
While beginners might find the interface less intuitive than Coinbase, the cost savings and feature depth make Kraken a powerful long-term platform.
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With transparent pricing, robust security, and tools for every level of trader, Kraken remains one of the most reliable exchanges in the crypto space—especially for those who value control, cost-efficiency, and advanced functionality.