Kraken Review is one of the most reputable exchanges in crypto and is known for having a high level of security. It has been around since 2011 and is a US-based exchange that is both highly regulated and battle-tested, having never experienced a hack. It has a clean web interface and a mobile app, balancing ease of use for beginners with advanced trading tools for more experienced users. It has over 700 trading pairs and offers a robust cryptocurrency selection. It also allows fiat deposits and withdrawals with a variety of currencies. It has margin trading, which allows you to borrow money to buy or sell, and also has a futures product for those looking to speculate on the long-term value of an asset. In addition, it has staking, which allows you to earn rewards on your cryptocurrency holdings.

Kraken Review: Is This Crypto Exchange Right for You

In terms of fees, Kraken is competitive and refreshingly transparent. Maker fees start at 0.25% and taker fees are at the low end of the industry, lower than Coinbase but higher than OKX and KuCoin. There are no deposit fees or withdrawal fees, but there are transaction fees based on the currency and method used.

One downside to Kraken is the customer support, which has received poor reviews on Trustpilot (1.4 stars out of 5). Additionally, completing KYC can be a bit cumbersome and time-consuming. For example, if you are a US citizen, you may need to provide a government-issued ID, proof of address, and a face photo. The process typically only takes a few minutes, but depending on the verification level — Intermediate or Pro — it can take several days for you to gain full access to the Kraken platform.