Kraken is one of the oldest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges, founded in 2011. It's one of the few major exchanges offering margin trading to US customers (in eligible states). Known for its security and regulatory compliance, Kraken has never been hacked.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Available in the USA (most states)
- One of the most trusted exchanges (13+ years)
- Strong regulatory compliance
- Never been hacked
- Good for beginners and pros
- Proof of reserves audited
- Excellent customer support
❌ Cons
- Lower leverage compared to offshore exchanges (50x max)
- Fewer trading pairs than Binance/OKX
- Higher fees without volume discounts
- No copy trading feature
- Limited deposit methods in some regions
Fee Structure
Margin Tiers
| Tier | Max Position | Max Leverage | Maintenance Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $100,000 | 50x | 1.0% |
| 2 | $500,000 | 25x | 2.0% |
| 3 | $2,000,000 | 10x | 5.0% |
How to Sign Up for Kraken
Kraken FAQ
Yes! Kraken is one of the few major exchanges offering margin trading to eligible US residents. Availability varies by state, and some restrictions apply.
Kraken offers up to 5x leverage on spot margin trading and up to 50x on futures. This is lower than offshore exchanges but comes with stronger regulatory protections.
Kraken is considered one of the safest crypto exchanges. It was founded in 2011, has never been hacked, conducts regular proof-of-reserves audits, and holds multiple regulatory licenses.
Kraken charges an opening fee of 0.02% and a rollover fee of 0.01-0.02% per 4 hours. Futures fees are 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker.