Kraken vs Coinbase – Which is Best in 2025?

By Manisha Mishra

Last Updated: Feb 17, 2025

Co-author

By Shraddha

kraken vs coinbase

Coinbase and Kraken are two of the most popular centralized exchanges whose 24-hour trading volumes go above $3.1B and $1.2B, respectively. Both CEXs are well-respected among the crypto community, although Coinbase is more suitable for US traders, while Kraken is more fitting for international traders.

In this detailed Kraken vs Coinbase comparison, we determine which exchange presents a better option for traders in terms of features, supported cryptocurrencies, trading fees, payment options, and security. We also compared their services and products to help you determine which CEX suits your trading style more.

Kraken vs Coinbase Review 2025  – Key Takeaways

  • Kraken offers 300+ perpetual futures with some of the lowest fees in the industry. It also provides a demo account for futures trading.
  • Coinbase is the third largest crypto exchange by market capitalization. This CEX supports multiple educational resources and an Earn-to-Learn program, which makes it ideal for beginners.
  • Kraken recently launched a new onchain staking product that allows its US users to stake 17 assets. Kraken’s staking service is currently available in 37 US states and 2 territories.
  • Coinbase enables its users to stake 147 assets for an APY that goes up to 12%. They can also earn weekly rewards through the flex staking option or by watching video tutorials and completing quizzes.
  • Kraken is one of the few highly-rated Bitcoin exchanges that have never been breached.
  • Both CEXs are available in the US (with certain geographic restrictions).

Visit Kraken

Visit Coinbase

Kraken vs Coinbase: Compared

  Kraken Coinbase
Features Real-time market data

Technical analysis tools 

Margin trading with 5x leverage

Built-in Wallet

Tools for institutional traders

Over 300 perpetual futures

Self-custody crypto wallet

Solutions for institutional investors

Developer tools and APIs

Tips, tutorials, and learning rewards

Users can stake 147 assets

Fees and Costs Fees up to 0.25% (maker) and 0.40% (taker) Fees up to 0.40% (maker) and 0.60% (taker)
Security Proof of Reserves

ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification and SOC 2, Type 1 examination

Advanced cold storage and hot wallet solutions

Bug bounty program 

2FA with passkeys

Auto-enrolled 2 factor-authentication (with security key support)

Password protection

Multi-approval withdrawals in Coinbase Vault

Number of customers 13+ million 105 million
Supported currencies 479 cryptocurrencies and 1222 trading pairs 277 cryptocurrencies and 418 trading pairs
User experience (ease of use) Kraken offers a simple trading experience, while Kraken Pro provides advanced tools with a customizable widget-based interface. Users can switch between them anytime using the app switcher. Beginner-friendly interface with advanced charting tools, including RSI, EMA, SMA, MACD, and real-time market analysis for Coinbase Advanced users.

Kraken vs Coinbase Overview

Kraken is a centralized exchange founded in 2011 under the ownership of Payward, Inc. This private company is based in San Francisco, California. Its current CEO is Dave Ripley, while the company has 2300+ employees.

Kraken is best known for its deep liquidity, competitive maker fees, advanced trading services, and flexible funding options. Kraken recently launched a new staking product for US clients in 37 states and territories, enabling its users to stake 17 tokens, such as ETH, SOL, ADA, and DOT.

Coinbase is a CEX founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong (also its current CEO) and Fred Ehrsam in San Francisco, California. However, in May 2020, Coinbase closed its San Francisco headquarters to incorporate a remote-first model, meaning it currently has no physical offices. This CEX has 3,600+ employees and 105 million users.

Coinbase is best known for its user-friendly approach to trading and listing announcements that often cause significant price spikes. This is known as the Coinbase Effect.

Visit Kraken Visit Coinbase

Kraken vs Coinbase – Services and Products 

Both Kraken and Coinbase support a broad range of cryptocurrencies, with over 200 assets listed on each platform. Coinbase has a slight edge with more listed tokens, but Kraken compensates by offering more crypto pairs for futures trading.

Tools and features Kraken Coinbase
Futures trading
Advanced charts
Mobile apps
Staking
Copy trading X X
Demo account X
OTC Minimum of $100,000 with Kraken OTC
API

Trading and Leverage

Kraken and Coinbase offer spot, margin, and futures trading. Kraken users can open short and long positions on more than 100 markets with up to 5x leverage, while on Coinbase, the leverage goes up to 3x. However, Coinbase Advanced users can use up to 20x leverage on commodity futures and 5x leverage on crypto futures. 

Futures

Kraken is one of the most highly-rated futures trading platforms. It provides a variety of perpetual futures contracts, but the exact number may vary. Additionally, Kraken offers a demo account for futures trading, which is beneficial for beginners.

This gives it a big advantage over Coinbase, which has no demo accounts. Coinbase also offers limited futures contracts. However, Coinbase Advanced offers zero trading fees on perpetual futures (for a limited time), which is not the case with Kraken Pro.

NFTs

Kraken decided to shut down its native NFT marketplace in 2025 in order to shift the resources to new services and products. Its NFT marketplace is currently in withdrawal-only mode. Kraken users will have three months to withdraw their NFTs before the final deadline (February 27, 2025).

On the other hand, Coinbase’s native NFT marketplace enables its users to trade and mint multiple non-fungible tokens on the Ethereum Mainnet.  

Kraken vs Coinbase Wallet

kraken wallet

coinbase wallet

Both CEXs have native self-custody crypto wallets. The Kraken wallet supports 9 blockchains – Bitcoin, Ethereum mainnet, Solana, Polygon, Optimism, Arbitrum, Base, Dogecoin, and Blast, and 2000+ cryptocurrencies, while Coinbase Wallet supports all ERC-20 tokens and all EVM-compatible networks.

Card

Coinbase enables its US users (with the exception of Hawaii) to apply for their Visa card, while Kraken doesn’t have this option. Coinbase card users will be able to earn different crypto rewards every month. They’ll also get to change their rewards whenever they want.

Staking

Investors will be able to stake their tokens on both Kraken and Coinbase. However, there are limitations depending on where you live, and not all assets will be available for staking. For example, Kraken’s staking service is available in 37 US states and 2 territories. US users will be able to stake 17 assets, including ETH, SOL, ADA, and DOT. Kraken users can also earn yields on stablecoins like USDG, USDT, and USDC.

Coinbase, on the other hand, offers 147 assets for staking. Investors can earn passive yields on popular cryptocurrencies and less-known tokens, like The Graph and Dymension.

Another Kraken vs Coinbase difference can be seen in their APYs. Kraken users can stake their tokens for an APY that goes up to 17%, while on Coinbase, the APY goes up to 12%, depending on the asset.  

Deposit Insurance

While crypto exchanges do not qualify for deposit insurance programs, Kraken and Coinbase use strict security systems to keep their users’ funds safe. For example, Kraken uses advanced cold storage and Proof of Reserves. In contrast, Coinbase uses multi-approval withdrawals, and it may deposit the funds of its US customers into JPMorgan Chase, Cross River Bank, and Customers Bank.

Kraken vs Coinbase Rewards

Coinbase has a unique feature called Learning Rewards, which allows traders to earn rewards by learning about cryptocurrencies. For example, they can earn rewards by watching video tutorials and completing quizzes. As you can see in the Kraken review, it also offers a Rewards feature that traders can activate via the Kraken or Kraken Pro app or website. They can also earn rewards every week through the flex staking option.


Kraken Fees vs Coinbase Fees

When comparing Coinbase fees vs Kraken, Kraken offers lower fees than Coinbase, which makes it more affordable for high-volume traders. Coinbase compensates for its higher fees by offering a premium subscription service – Coinbase One. The service provides zero trading fees and boosted staking rewards. Subscribers will also receive 25% back on Coinbase Advanced spot fees in USDC.

Take a look at our Coinbase vs Kraken fees comparison table for spot, margin, and futures trading:

Fees Kraken Coinbase
Spot Maker 0.00% to 0.25%, depending on the 30-day trading volume

Taker 0.10% to 0.40%, depending on the 30-day trading volume

Maker 0.00% to 0.40%, depending on the 30-day trading volume

Taker 0.05% to 0.60%, depending on the 30-day trading volume

Futures Maker -0.0060% to 0.0200%, depending on the 30-day trading volume

Taker 0.01% to 0.0500%, depending on the 30-day trading volume

Introductory fee of 0.05% per futures contract (subject to change) + NFA fees with a minimum fee of $0.20

Zero trading fees on perpetual futures (for a limited time)

Margin 0.02% opening fee

0.02% per 4-hour rollover fee 

N/A

Visit Kraken

Most crypto deposits on Kraken are free, except for Kraken Wrapped Bitcoin (0.05% deposit fee) and Terra Classic and TerraUSD Classic (0.5% tax burn). Withdrawal fees on Kraken will depend on the cryptocurrency and payment method.

Coinbase users will have to pay deposit fees if they use the Wire (USD) and SEPA (EUR), as well as withdrawal fees if they use Wire (USD) and Swift (GBP).

Kraken vs. Coinbase withdrawal fees:

Deposit and Withdrawal methods Kraken Coinbase
ACH Free deposits Free deposits
Wire Free deposits

FedWire (Customers Bank) $4 withdrawal fee

FedWire (Dart Bank) $30 withdrawal fee

Fedwire (Etana Connect) $30 withdrawal fee

CBIT™ (Customers Bank Instant Token) free withdrawal

$10 deposit fee

$25 withdrawal fee

SEPA Free deposits

€1 withdrawal fee

€0.15 deposit fee

Free withdrawals

SWIFT SWIFT (Bank Frick) $3 deposit fee

SWIFT (Etana Custody) $35 withdrawal fee 

   

SWIFT (Bank Frick**) $14 withdrawal fee

Free deposit

£1 withdrawal

PayPal Fees may vary depending on your region Depending on your region

Visit Coinbase

In addition to the above-mentioned fees, traders must pay conversion fees, staking commissions, and fees for NFT transactions. Kraken users will be charged a flat 3% fee for converting balances that are smaller than the minimum order size. Coinbase’s USDC to USD conversion fees will be based on the total USD trading volume over a rolling 30-day period.

Kraken offers lower staking commissions – 20% vs. 25-35%. Kraken decided to close its native NFT marketplace, while buying NFTs on Coinbase comes with zero transaction fees. You’ll only have to cover gas fees.

Kraken Coinbase
Conversion fees 3% fee for converting balances that are less than the minimum order size USDC to USD: 0% fee for up to $40 million

0.05% for $40 million to $60 million

0.10% for $60 million to $150 million

0.20% for $150 million to $500 million

0.30% for $500 million

Staking commissions 20% for flexible staking 25% to 35%, depending on the cryptocurrency
NFT transactions Withdrawal-only mode No fees

Kraken vs Coinbase: Supported Cryptocurrencies 

Both Kraken and Coinbase support a broad range of cryptocurrencies, with over 200 assets listed on each platform. As of February 14, 2025, Kraken supports 479 cryptocurrencies and 1222 trading pairs, while Coinbase supports 240 tradable assets and 500+ trading pairs.

The most popular cryptocurrencies on both platforms include BTC, ETH, USDT, XRP, and SOL. However, the situation with trading pairs is slightly different. The top trading pairs on Kraken are BTC/USD, BTC/EUR, BTC/CAD, SOL/USD, USDT/USD, and XRP/USD, while on Coinbase, the most popular trading pairs are BTC/USD, USDT/USD, ETH/USD, SOL/USD, and DOGE/USD.

Kraken also supports more fiat currencies than Coinbase. Its users can use USD, EUR, CAD, GBP, CHF, JPY, and AUD for deposits and withdrawals, while Coinbase’s users can only use USD, EUR, and GBP. 

When it comes to perpetual futures contracts, Kraken offers 300, while Coinbase offers limited contracts. This makes Kraken a go-to place for traders who want to profit by speculating about the future prices of cryptocurrencies.

A larger number of supported cryptocurrencies, crypto pairs, and fiat options give Kraken a certain advantage over Coinbase, making it more suitable for international traders. On the other hand, Coinbase is a better option for US traders since it offers more staking options for US residents. 

Kraken makes up for its limited staking options by enabling its users to stake stablecoins, like USDC, USDT, and USDG, for an APY that goes up to 6.5%.

Regarding their daily trading volumes, Coinbase has a significant advantage over Kraken – $2.9 billion vs. $1.1 million, although Kraken has a higher number of weekly visits – 1.7 million vs. 79,555.

Kraken recently listed four new tokens: Flux (FLUX), Clover Finance (CLV), Across Protocol (ACX), and Vine (VINE), while new coins on Coinbase include B3 (Base), Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT), and Venice Token (VVV). As of February 2025, Rocket Pool (RPL) and Swell Network (SWELL) are the biggest gainers on both exchanges.

Payment Methods and Minimum Deposit Kraken vs Coinbase

Kraken and Coinbase support the following payment methods:

  • Debit/credit card
  • ACH
  • Wire
  • SEPA
  • SWIFT
  • PayPal
  • Google Pay
  • Apple Pay

There’s also an option to deposit cryptocurrencies if you hold them in your non-custodial wallet.

The minimum deposit requirements and funding limits will depend on the deposit method. For example, Kraken users will have to pay a deposit fee of $3 only if they use the SWIFT (Bank Frick) option, while Coinbase users will have to pay a $10 deposit fee if they use Wire and €0.15 if they use SEPA. 

Minimum deposit options vary between deposit methods, but Kraken offers deposits of at least $1, while Coinbase requires a minimum of $10.


Kraken vs Coinbase: Security Features

Both exchanges use strict security measures to keep their users’ funds safe. The Coinbase security features include multi-approval withdrawals, auto-enrolled 2 factor-authentication, and password protection, while the Kraken security system includes Proof of Reserves and a bug bounty program. Kraken also has ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification, which means it meets the highest international security standards. 

In addition to that, this CEX uses one of the most advanced cold storage and hot wallet solutions to secure users’ funds. What’s more, Kraken has never been breached.

Kraken is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, North America, and Australia, while Coinbase is one of the first crypto exchanges licensed in the US. 

Both exchanges still face hurdles despite being regulated and licensed in multiple jurisdictions. For example, Coinbase recently won against the SEC over the definition of crypto security, where the SEC tried for years to settle the question: Should cryptocurrencies be treated as securities like bonds and stocks? The only mainstream cryptocurrency that escapes such scrutiny is Bitcoin, which the SEC treats as a commodity like gold.

Kraken has faced a similar issue with the SEC, where the exchange faced a lawsuit accusing Kraken of operating an unregistered securities exchange. The SEC has partially won its case; however, Kraken’s ‘fair notice’ defense remains in place. 


Availability

Kraken and Coinbase both offer user-friendly platforms that ensure a smooth user experience. This applies to all their platforms, including web, desktop (Kraken), and mobile. However, as we explained in our detailed review of Kraken, advanced users may find Kraken a better option due to its fully-fledged desktop app, lower futures trading fees, and higher staking yields.

On the other hand, new investors may find Coinbase a better option since this CEX is tailored for beginners with its intuitive design, guided tutorials, and straightforward navigation. That said, beginners can also enjoy Kraken as it offers simple user onboarding via its main Kraken mobile app. Plus, they can open a demo account to practice trading perpetual futures.

Countries

Kraken is available in 190+ countries, from Europe and North America to Australia. This CEX does not offer its services everywhere, and some of the prohibited regions include Afghanistan, Belarus, Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, Cuba
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Japan, Washington State (WA), New York (NY).

Coinbase is supported in 100+ countries, including the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In contrast, its list of some of the prohibited countries includes Syria, North Korea, Cuba, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia, and Colombia.

The staking services on both exchanges come with certain limitations. For example, the staking service on Kraken is available only in 37 states and two territories. 

Coinbase limited its staking services in Alabama, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin (no new principal can be staked). At the same time, customers from NY won’t be eligible for staking due to pre-existing regulations.

Devices

It’s hard to declare a winner in the Kraken vs. Coinbase app category because both platforms offer excellent mobile apps. Kraken provides three mobile apps for its users: Kraken, Kraken Pro, and Kraken Wallet. The Kraken app is designed for beginners. It facilitates crypto trades, enabling investors to buy cryptocurrency via cards or ACH online banking. 

The Kraken Pro app is designed for professional traders. It features advanced order types, multiple charting, and order book display options. The Kraken Wallet enables its users to store, sell, and track their coins.

Coinbase also offers three separate apps: Coinbase, Coinbase Pro, and Coinbase Wallet. As is the case with Kraken, the Coinbase app is tailored for beginners, while the Coinbase Pro app is created for professionals. When we did our Coinbase analysis, we saw that its main features include real-time candles, depth charts, intuitive shortcuts, and advanced order types. The Coinbase Smart Wallet stands out for its advanced trading features that include fee optimization and automated transaction management.

To sum up, Coinbase offers better apps for beginners, while Kraken’s apps are more suitable for experienced investors.


Kraken vs Coinbase: User Experience

Kraken and Coinbase offer highly responsive platforms that ensure a smooth user experience. This applies to all their platforms, including web, desktop (Kraken), and mobile. However, advanced users may find Kraken a better option due to its fully-fledged desktop app, lower futures trading fees, and higher staking yields.

In comparison, beginners may find Coinbase a better option as it is tailored for beginners with its intuitive design, guided tutorials, and straightforward navigation, making it an excellent starting point for those new to cryptocurrency trading. That said, beginners can still enjoy Kraken as it offers simple user onboarding via its main Kraken mobile app and even offers a demo account for trading perpetual futures.


Kraken vs Coinbase: Customer Service and Review

Kraken and Coinbase provide customer service that’s available 24/7. Both platforms start with a virtual assistant, where you can ask questions and receive guidance. The assistant can connect you to the relevant department if you need to speak to a person. You can reach Kraken and Coinbase customer support via email ([email protected], [email protected]), live chat, and phone

Kraken offers phone support, and you can reach them by calling:

  • United States English Support: +1 888 837 8818
  • European Union English Support: +353 1 223 8162
  • United Kingdom English Support: +44 808 501 5031

To reach Coinbase support by phone, call +1 888 908 7930

Customer Support Kraken Coinbase
Chatbot Yes Yes
Phone support Yes, in North American, UK, and EU zones Yes
Email support [email protected] [email protected]
Self-help materials Yes Yes

Which platform offers better assistance, Kraken or Coinbase? It depends on your priorities. For example, Kraken’s support team is known for its quick responses and a 90% client satisfaction score. However, its score on Trustpilot is 1.4, based on 2,669 reviews. Most of the negative reviews are related to withdrawal issues. 

Coinbase has a 3.8 rating on Trustpilot, based on 14,816 reviews. While most users complain about the slow responses, Coinbase makes up for this shortcoming with the Coinbase One subscription, which offers priority customer support.


Kraken vs Coinbase:  Pros & Cons

Kraken Pros

  • Competitive fees for spot trading
  • Supports 1222 pairs and 479 cryptocurrencies
  • Offers advanced trading tools and features
  • Flexible funding options (cash, cards, and crypto)
  • Industry-leading security (Kraken has never been breached)

Kraken Cons

  • The staking feature is not available in all US states 
  • US users can stake only 17 coins  
  • Kraken recently shut down its native NFT marketplace

Coinbase Pros

  • User-friendly interface
  • Native NFT marketplace
  • Multiple educational resources and learning rewards
  • Self-custody crypto wallet
  • Supports 147 assets for staking

Coinbase Cons

  • Only 13 perpetual futures contracts
  • Transaction fees are higher than the industry average
  • Slow customer support  


Conclusion – Kraken vs Coinbase

Comparing Kraken vs Coinbase indicates that both exchanges offer plenty of advantages including good security, regulatory compliance, and various trading features. On the one hand, Kraken offers institutional-grade security, Proof of Reserves, lower futures trading fees, and advanced trading tools. Coinbase focuses on huge supported assets and features, user-friendliness, simple mobile use, and accessibility. Ultimately, we’d recommend a Coinbase exchange for beginners backed by excellent reviews about the platform’s usability and accessibility, while Kraken is for advanced investors for its high trading maximums, advanced features, and sometimes lower fees.

However, Kraken’s commitment to transparency, broader support for perpetual futures, and customer excellence give it an edge in this competitive market.

When choosing between the two, your personal investment needs will determine the final decision. Coinbase vs Kraken remains a compelling comparison for traders seeking a secure and efficient trading environment in the ever-evolving crypto landscape.

Visit Kraken

References

  1. Coinbase to invest in Circle, shut down jointly managed Centre (Reuters)
  2. Kraken Must Face SEC Suit Over Crypto Exchange Registration (Bloomberg)
  3. Coinbase scores win against SEC as judge agrees to escalate dispute over crypto security definition (Fortune)
  4. U.S. SEC targets crypto ‘staking’ with Kraken crackdown (Reuters)

FAQs

Is Kraken better than Coinbase?

What’s the main difference between Kraken and Coinbase?

Kraken Pro vs Coinbase Advanced, which is better?

Does Kraken have high fees?

Who has better fees than Coinbase?

What are the disadvantages of Coinbase?

Can US users use Kraken?

Free Bitcoin Crash Course

  • Enjoyed by over 100,000 students.
  • One email a day, 7 days in a row.
  • Short and educational, guaranteed!

Why you can trust 99Bitcoins

10+ Years

Established in 2013, 99Bitcoin’s team members have been crypto experts since Bitcoin’s Early days.

90hr+

Weekly Research

100k+

Monthly readers

50+

Expert contributors

2000+

Crypto Projects Reviewed

Disclaimer Icon
Disclaimer

Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.

Back to top