Kraken vs Crypto.com 2026: Fees, Security, Rewards
Kraken excels with lower trading fees (0.16-0.26%) and superior security reputation, while Crypto.com offers broader global accessibility, higher staking rewards (up to 14.5%), and more fiat on-ramp options across 178+ countries.
Kraken
US-based cryptocurrency exchange known for security and professional trading tools.
Active traders, security-conscious investors, and professionals seeking lowest fees and advanced trading tools.
Crypto.com
Singapore-based exchange offering high staking rewards and global accessibility with branded card benefits.
Beginners seeking simplicity, global users in underbanked regions, and those wanting rewards through staking and card usage.
Quick Answer
AI SummaryKraken excels with lower trading fees (0.16-0.26%) and superior security reputation, while Crypto.com offers broader global accessibility, higher staking rewards (up to 14.5%), and more fiat on-ramp options across 178+ countries.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Kraken if you prioritize low trading fees, maximum security, and a professional platform for serious traders. Choose Crypto.com if you need global accessibility, want higher staking returns with a loyalty program (CRO card), or prefer a more consumer-friendly interface with extensive fiat on-ramp options.
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Choose Kraken if
Active traders, security-conscious investors, and professionals seeking lowest fees and advanced trading tools.
Choose Crypto.com if
Best pickBeginners seeking simplicity, global users in underbanked regions, and those wanting rewards through staking and card usage.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Trading Fee Structure:✓ Kraken wins(0.16-0.26% maker/taker vs 0.10-0.40% maker/taker + card fees)
- Staking Reward Rate (Average):✓ Crypto.com wins(8-14.5% with CRO lock-up vs 4-8% on select assets)
- Global Market Availability:✓ Crypto.com wins(178+ countries and territories vs 60+ countries)
Key Facts & Figures
52 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Kraken | Crypto.com | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maker Fee(%) | 0.16% | — | — |
| Taker Fee(%) | 0.26% | — | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | ~2.5 million | Crypto.com | |
| Quarterly Trading Volume (2025)(billions USD) | $120B | — | — |
| Supported Cryptocurrencies(count) | 200+ | — | — |
| Daily Trading Volume(USD Billions) | Kraken | — | — |
| Available Trading Pairs(count) | Kraken | — | — |
| Maker Fee(percentage) | Kraken | — | — |
| Taker Fee(percentage) | Kraken | — | — |
| Security Audit Frequency(per year) | Kraken | — | — |
| Staking Assets Supported(count) | Kraken | — | — |
| Mobile App Rating(out of 5) | Kraken | — | — |
| Maker Trading Fee(%) | 0.16% | — | — |
| Taker Trading Fee(%) | 0.26% | — | — |
| Supported Cryptocurrencies(assets) | 85+ | — | — |
| Staking Assets Available(count) | 20+ | — | — |
| Maximum Staking APY(%) | Up to 12% | — | — |
| Taker Trading Fee(%) | 0.26% | 0.40% | |
| Cryptocurrencies Supported(coins) | 190 | 250 | |
| Maximum Staking APY(%) | 12% | 20% | |
| Visa Card Cashback(%) | 0% (not offered) | 8% | |
| Account Minimum Deposit(USD) | No minimum | No minimum | |
| Maker Trading Fee(%) | 0.16% | 0.40% | |
| Available Trading Pairs(pairs) | 90+ | — | — |
| US State Money Transmitter Licenses(states) | 22 states | — | — |
| Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars out of 5) | 4.3/5 | 4.7/5 | |
| Maximum Margin Leverage(x) | 5x leverage | — | — |
| Year Founded | 2011 | — | — |
| Maker/Taker Trading Fees(%) | 0.16%-0.26% | — | — |
| Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars) | 4.2/5 | — | — |
| Customer Support Response Time(hours) | 2-4 hours | — | — |
| Minimum Deposit(USD) | $10 | — | — |
| Active Users(millions) | 8+ million | — | — |
| Average Staking APY(%) | 3-7% | — | — |
| Withdrawal Fee (Bitcoin)(USD) | $0.00-$1.00 | — | — |
| Daily Trading Volume(USD trillions) | $850M | — | — |
| Maker Fee (Standard Tier)(percentage) | 0.16% | — | — |
| Taker Fee (Standard Tier)(percentage) | 0.26% | — | — |
| Customer Support Response Time(hours) | 4-6 | — | — |
| iOS App Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.6/5 (85K reviews) | — | — |
| Supported Fiat Currencies(currencies) | 12+ | — | — |
| Maximum Leverage (Futures)(multiplier) | 50x | — | — |
| Maker Trading Fee(%) | 0.16% | 0.10-0.40% | |
| Taker Trading Fee(%) | 0.26% | 0.10-0.40% | |
| Average Staking Reward(%) | 4-8% APY | 8-14.5% APY | |
| Countries & Territories Supported(count) | 60+ | 178+ | |
| Security Incidents (5-Year History)(breaches) | 0 major incidents | 1 major incident ($30M loss) | |
| Fiat Currency Support(currencies) | 5 major (USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, JPY) | 75+ fiat currencies | |
| Mobile App Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 | |
| Minimum Deposit Required(USD) | $0 | $0 | |
| Registered Users(millions) | Crypto.com | Crypto.com | |
| App Downloads (2024)(millions) | Crypto.com | Crypto.com |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 0.16-0.26% maker/taker(winner)Trading Fee Structure0.10-0.40% maker/taker + card fees
- 4-8% on select assetsStaking Reward Rate (Average)8-14.5% with CRO lock-up(winner)
- 60+ countriesGlobal Market Availability178+ countries and territories(winner)
- 0 major breaches reported(winner)Security Breaches (Historical)2023 $30M security incident
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, JPYSupported Fiat Currencies75+ fiat currencies(winner)
- $0 (no minimum)Minimum Account Balance$0 (no minimum)
- 4.6/5 stars (iOS/Android avg)(winner)Mobile App Rating (2026)4.4/5 stars (iOS/Android avg)
- Trading Fee Structure
Kraken
0.16-0.26% maker/taker(winner)
Crypto.com
0.10-0.40% maker/taker + card fees
- Staking Reward Rate (Average)
Kraken
4-8% on select assets
Crypto.com
8-14.5% with CRO lock-up(winner)
- Global Market Availability
Kraken
60+ countries
Crypto.com
178+ countries and territories(winner)
- Security Breaches (Historical)
Kraken
0 major breaches reported(winner)
Crypto.com
2023 $30M security incident
- Supported Fiat Currencies
Kraken
USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, JPY
Crypto.com
75+ fiat currencies(winner)
- Minimum Account Balance
Kraken
$0 (no minimum)
Crypto.com
$0 (no minimum)
- Mobile App Rating (2026)
Kraken
4.6/5 stars (iOS/Android avg)(winner)
Crypto.com
4.4/5 stars (iOS/Android avg)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Kraken | Crypto.com |
|---|---|---|
| Maker Fee(%) | 0.16% | — |
| Taker Fee(%) | 0.26% | — |
| Maker Fee(percentage) | Kraken | — |
| Taker Fee(percentage) | Kraken | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | ~2.5 million(winner) | Crypto.com |
| Quarterly Trading Volume (2025)(billions USD) | $120B | — |
| Supported Cryptocurrencies(count) | 200+ | — |
| Ease of Use | Advanced/technical | — |
| User Interface Complexity | Advanced features, steeper learning curve | — |
| Advanced Trading Features | Professional-grade | — |
| Security Focus | Enterprise-grade institutional | — |
| Security Audit Frequency(per year) | Kraken | — |
| USD Balance Insurance (FDIC) | Not specified | — |
| Security Incidents (5-Year History)(breaches) | 0 major incidents(winner) | 1 major incident ($30M loss) |
| Daily Trading Volume(USD Billions) | Kraken | — |
| Available Trading Pairs(count) | Kraken | — |
| Cryptocurrencies Supported(coins) | 190 | 250(winner) |
| US Regulatory Status | Kraken (FinCEN MSB registered) | — |
| US Regulatory Licenses | FinCEN MSB + 7 state licenses | No US banking license |
| US Regulatory Status | Compliant but expanding | — |
| Staking Assets Supported(count) | Kraken | — |
| Supported Cryptocurrencies(assets) | 85+ | — |
| Staking Program Quality | Comprehensive with high APY | — |
| Additional Services | Visa card, NFT, DeFi wallet, loans | — |
| Mobile App Rating(out of 5) | Kraken | — |
| Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars out of 5) | 4.3/5 | 4.7/5(winner) |
| Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars) | 4.2/5 | — |
| iOS App Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.6/5 (85K reviews) | — |
| Mobile App Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.6/5(winner) | 4.4/5 |
| Maker Trading Fee(%) | 0.16% | — |
| Taker Trading Fee(%) | 0.26% | — |
| NY BitLicense Status | Pending approval | — |
| Staking Assets Available(count) | 20+ | — |
| Maximum Staking APY(%) | Up to 12% | — |
| Average Staking Reward(%) | 4-8% APY | 8-14.5% APY(winner) |
| Margin Trading Available | Yes | — |
| Taker Trading Fee(%) | 0.26%(winner) | 0.40% |
| Maker Trading Fee(%) | 0.16%(winner) | 0.40% |
| Maximum Staking APY(%) | 12% | 20%(winner) |
| Visa Card Cashback(%) | 0% (not offered) | 8%(winner) |
| Account Minimum Deposit(USD) | No minimum | No minimum |
| Minimum Deposit(USD) | $10 | — |
| Supported Fiat Currencies(currencies) | 12+ | — |
| Countries & Territories Supported(count) | 60+ | 178+(winner) |
| Fiat Currency Support(currencies) | 5 major (USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, JPY) | 75+ fiat currencies(winner) |
| Available Trading Pairs(pairs) | 90+ | — |
| US State Money Transmitter Licenses(states) | 22 states | — |
| NY BitLicense Status | Not licensed | — |
| Maximum Margin Leverage(x) | 5x leverage | — |
| Year Founded | 2011 | — |
| Maker/Taker Trading Fees(%) | 0.16%-0.26% | — |
| Withdrawal Fee (Bitcoin)(USD) | $0.00-$1.00 | — |
| Customer Support Response Time(hours) | 2-4 hours | — |
| Active Users(millions) | 8+ million | — |
| Average Staking APY(%) | 3-7% | — |
| Daily Trading Volume(USD trillions) | $850M | — |
| Maker Fee (Standard Tier)(percentage) | 0.16% | — |
| Taker Fee (Standard Tier)(percentage) | 0.26% | — |
| Maker Trading Fee(%) | 0.16%(winner) | 0.10-0.40% |
| Taker Trading Fee(%) | 0.26% | 0.10-0.40%(winner) |
| Minimum Deposit Required(USD) | $0 | $0 |
| Customer Support Response Time(hours) | 4-6 | — |
| Maximum Leverage (Futures)(multiplier) | 50x | — |
| Registered Users(millions) | Crypto.com | — |
| App Downloads (2024)(millions) | Crypto.com | — |
| Quarterly Trading Volume(USD Billions) | Crypto.com | — |
KrakenPros & Cons
12 pros·6 cons across both
Kraken
Pros
- Industry-leading 0.16% maker fee and 0.26% taker fee (lowest among major exchanges)
- Unmatched security record with zero major breaches and 95% cold wallet storage
- Advanced trading features including margin, futures, and spot trading
- Fast fiat withdrawals (USD same-day ACH available)
- 4.6/5 mobile app rating with intuitive interface
- CCSS Level 1 security certification
Cons
- Limited to 60+ countries, blocked in several regions including New York (BitLicense restrictions)
- Lower staking rewards (4-8%) compared to competitors
- Steeper learning curve for beginners due to advanced features
Crypto.com
Pros
- Operates in 178+ countries with 75+ supported fiat currencies for global reach
- High staking rewards up to 14.5% APY with CRO token lock-up incentives
- Branded Visa card with up to 8% cash back, Netflix/Spotify rebates
- User-friendly interface optimized for beginners
- Multiple payment methods including Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfers
- Earn program offering rewards on holdings
Cons
- Trading fees (0.10-0.40%) vary by volume; can exceed Kraken at baseline rates
- Experienced $30M security breach in January 2023 affecting user trust
- Geographic restrictions in certain jurisdictions (US state limitations exist)
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Kraken has the lowest baseline trading fees at 0.16% maker and 0.26% taker, making it ideal for frequent traders. Crypto.com's fees range from 0.10-0.40% depending on your 30-day trading volume, so high-volume traders on Crypto.com may pay less, but most casual users will pay more than Kraken's fixed rates.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
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