What is Kraken Crypto?

Kraken is among the most trusted crypto exchanges when it comes to safeguarding funds and regulatory compliance — even if it occasionally falls short on customer support responsiveness.

Let’s find out all about it — helping you decide whether it can be your go-to platform or not.

So, What is Kraken Crypto?

Kraken is one of the oldest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. It was launched in 2011 by Jesse Powell in San Francisco and officially opened to the public in 2013. Since then, Kraken has built a reputation for security, transparency, and regulatory compliance. 

You can use it to buy, sell, and trade dozens of cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and more.

What Makes Kraken Different From Other Exchanges?

Which Services Can You Use on Kraken?

• Buy and Sell Crypto Instantly
  Kraken allows users to purchase and sell a wide range of cryptocurrencies using fiat currencies like USD, EUR, GBP, and more. You can buy assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana with just a few clicks using debit/credit cards, bank transfers, or digital wallets.
• Swap Crypto Assets
  You can easily convert one cryptocurrency to another using Kraken’s instant swap feature. This is useful for quick exchanges without going through the trading interface.
• Spot Trading
  Kraken offers spot trading for crypto-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat pairs. Traders can place market and limit orders using live price charts and tools on Kraken’s standard or Pro interface.
• Margin Trading
  Experienced users can trade with leverage up to 5x on select pairs. Kraken’s margin trading lets you borrow funds to increase your position size and amplify gains (or losses).
• Futures Trading
  Kraken provides access to crypto futures contracts, letting you speculate on price movements of digital assets with leverage up to 50x. Futures are settled in cash, and no crypto is physically exchanged.
• Crypto Staking
  Kraken lets you stake supported cryptocurrencies (like ETH, DOT, ADA, ATOM) and earn regular rewards. On-chain and off-chain staking options are available with different payout frequencies.
• Kraken Pro Platform
  Designed for active traders, Kraken Pro offers advanced charting, lower fees, faster order execution, and deep liquidity. It supports complex trading strategies and real-time market data.
• OTC Desk (Over-the-Counter)
  High-volume traders and institutions can use Kraken’s OTC desk for personalized service and discreet execution of large trades without slippage in the open market.
• API Access for Developers
  Kraken provides REST and WebSocket APIs that allow developers to automate trades, access account data, or build custom trading tools and bots.
• Custody and Security Services
  Kraken offers institutional-grade crypto custody solutions with strong security features, including cold storage, proof of reserves, and account-level security configurations.
  

How Many Cryptos Can You Trade on Kraken?

Kraken stands out as a premier cryptocurrency exchange, offering a vast selection of over 425 digital assets as of May 2025. This extensive range caters to both novice traders and seasoned investors, all while providing opportunities to diversify portfolios across various crypto categories.

Here are some of the major cryptocurrencies available on Kraken:

• Bitcoin (BTC): The original cryptocurrency, known for its decentralized nature and store of value.
• Ethereum (ETH): A leading platform for decentralized applications and smart contracts.
• Tether (USDT): A widely-used stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, facilitating seamless trading.
• Solana (SOL): Recognized for its high-speed transactions and scalability in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
• Cardano (ADA): A proof-of-stake blockchain platform emphasizing sustainability and scalability.
• Polkadot (DOT): Enables cross-chain interoperability, allowing different blockchains to transfer messages and value.
• Ripple (XRP): Designed for fast and cost-effective cross-border payments.
• Dogecoin (DOGE): Initially started as a meme, now a popular cryptocurrency with a strong community.
• Chainlink (LINK): Provides tamper-proof data for complex smart contracts on any blockchain.
• Litecoin (LTC): Offers faster transaction confirmation times and improved storage efficiency.

Kraken crypto trading platform also supports a multitude of other assets, including emerging altcoins, DeFi tokens, and various stablecoins. See, such diversity ensures that users have access to a comprehensive crypto ecosystem, accommodating a wide range of trading strategies and investment goals.

If you need a complete and up-to-date list of supported cryptocurrencies, you can visit Kraken’s official listings page.

What’s Special About Kraken’s Tokenized Stocks?

Kraken crypto trading platform pushes boundaries by offering tokenized stocks—a feature that bridges traditional finance with blockchain innovation. But what exactly are tokenized stocks?

These are digital assets that represent shares of publicly traded companies. You don’t buy the actual stock. You buy a crypto-based token that mirrors the price of a stock. That means you get exposure to companies like Apple, Tesla, or Amazon—without going through a stockbroker.

Why is this a big deal?

Because it removes gatekeepers. You can buy fractions. You can trade 24/7. You don’t need to wait for market hours. You don’t need to meet minimums. All you need is a Kraken account and crypto in your wallet. For example, if Tesla is trading at $1,000 and you only want to invest $10, you can do that. Try doing that with traditional stock brokers.

Kraken’s tokenized stock products are also backed by real shares held by licensed custodians, which keeps the pricing fair and the tokens credible. You’re not gambling on synthetic data. You’re tied to the real-world price.

This feature is ideal for crypto-native users who want exposure to the stock market—without leaving the crypto ecosystem. It’s also a smart hedge. During volatile crypto periods, some traders shift funds into tokenized stocks to balance risk.

So if you’re deep into crypto but still want a piece of the traditional pie, Kraken makes it possible—on your terms, not Wall Street’s.

Is Kraken Safe for Crypto Users?

Kraken is considered one of the most secure cryptocurrency exchanges in 2025. According to Security.org, Kraken stores over 95% of user funds in offline cold wallets, which significantly reduces the risk of online hacks. The platform also implements essential safety features like two-factor authentication (2FA), withdrawal address whitelisting, and real-time monitoring of suspicious activity.

According to Kraken’s official site, the exchange completes regular security audits and follows strict operational security protocols. In addition, it has never experienced a major security breach since its launch in 2011.

In March 2025, Kraken published a Proof of Reserves audit showing a 114.9% Bitcoin reserve ratio, meaning it holds more BTC than it owes to customers. This was confirmed by 99Bitcoins, which noted Kraken’s above-par financial transparency. The platform also complies with international regulations, including licenses in the U.S., U.K., and European Union, as detailed on Kraken Support.

However, user feedback is mixed. According to a detailed breakdown on ECOS blog, while Kraken scores high on security and compliance, some users complain about slow customer service and delays in verification. These criticisms show that while Kraken is highly secure, the user experience may not be as seamless as on some other platforms.

Can Kraken Help You Earn With Staking?

Yes — Kraken lets you earn passive income just by holding your crypto.

Okay, let’s suppose you bought 10 Polkadot (DOT) coins. Instead of letting them sit idle, you stake them on Kraken. In return, you earn more DOT over time. Right now, you can get up to 12% APY. That means if you keep 10 DOT staked for a year, you could earn an extra 1.2 DOT — without trading, without stress.

Here’s another example. Let’s say you’re holding Ethereum (ETH). After the Ethereum merge, you can now stake ETH directly through Kraken. You lock it in, and Kraken helps validate transactions on the blockchain. In return, you earn around 6.5% APY. It’s like earning rent on your crypto instead of leaving it in a cold wallet doing nothing.

Kraken pays out rewards twice a week. You don’t need to manage nodes or run your own validator. Everything happens automatically. You just pick a coin, hit stake, and let it grow.

You can stake coins like ETH, DOT, ADA, SOL, ATOM, and even USDC for fixed returns. Kraken shows you the expected APY for each token before you start. Some coins lock your funds for a period, others let you unstake anytime.

Quick insight: If you’re holding crypto long-term, staking on Kraken helps you earn more — with zero extra work.

Final Words: What Should You Know Before Using Kraken?

According to Kraken’s official blog and reports from CoinDesk and CryptoCompare, Karken has never been hacked and keeps over 97% of user funds in cold storage. That’s rare. Kraken is licensed in the US, EU, UK, Canada, and Japan. It follows full KYC and AML rules. So yes — it’s secure and legal.

But safety comes with a trade-off. Kraken’s interface feels clunky if you’re new. Identity checks can take time. 

It’s also worth noting that Kraken works best for cautious investors, long-term holders, and traders who prioritize regulation and control. It’s not ideal for flashy NFT projects, social crypto tools, or quick in-and-out trading.

Honest verdict? Kraken isn’t perfect by all means.  The platform lacks polish in some areas, but it delivers where it matters most: trust, transparency, and security. It’s a reliable exchange for serious crypto users — but don’t expect convenience without a learning curve.