Kraken – Exchange Review

Built for the long game

Kraken came out early, long before most exchanges. It was there after the Mt. Gox collapse, helping with investigations. It was the first exchange shown on Bloomberg Terminal. From the start, it played the role of a survivor – security-first, careful growth, no shortcuts.

What you can trade

The lineup is wide. Spot markets with hundreds of pairs. Margin trading and futures with up to 50x leverage. Staking for passive income. OTC desks for big traders. Multiple fiat options – USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, CHF. Beginners get the simple Kraken app, pros get Kraken Pro with advanced charts.

Security that feels real

Kraken has always sold itself on safety – and mostly delivered. Cold storage for client funds, regular Proof-of-Reserves audits, strict authentication. In 2025 it secured a MiCA license in Ireland, opening doors across the EU. In the UK, the FCA gave it approval to operate as an e-money business. This makes it one of the most regulation-friendly global players.

Big moves on the horizon

Kraken isn’t standing still. In 2025 it closed a 1.5 billion dollar deal for NinjaTrader. That puts it in position to offer crypto futures in the U.S. and even expand into equities and traditional derivatives. At the same time, it’s raising new funding – 500 million dollars at a 15 billion valuation. The signal is clear: Kraken is thinking long-term and scaling up.

Where it shines – and where it struggles

Strengths

• A proven record of security and transparency
  
• Broad product range covering spot, futures, margin, staking, custody
  
• Deep fiat support and regulatory approvals in the EU and UK
  
• Strategic acquisitions like NinjaTrader push it closer to Wall Street
  

Weaknesses

• Fees can feel heavy compared to lighter, newer platforms
  
• U.S. regulatory battles have shaken user trust at times
  
• Interface isn’t the easiest for new users
  
• Some products are restricted depending on the country
  
• Moving carefully under regulation means innovation is slower
  

Final word

Kraken isn’t chasing hype coins or shiny trends. It’s building something closer to a financial institution – crypto at the core, but wrapped in regulation and infrastructure.

Today, it feels steady, cautious, but powerful. For short-term thrill seekers it may look old-school. For anyone thinking in years, not months, Kraken remains one of the most solid anchors in the industry.