How to Get Started with Kraken Pro

A plain-English walkthrough of opening a Kraken Pro account, getting verified, and making your first trade — without the confusion.

Before you start

Kraken Pro is best suited to people who already have a basic grasp of buying and holding crypto and now want lower fees and more control over order types. If you've never touched crypto before, consider starting on Kraken's simple buy/sell interface before switching to Pro. Have a government ID and a bank account or existing crypto wallet ready.

Step 1: Create your account

Head to Kraken and sign up with your email address. Use a strong, unique password and avoid reusing one from another exchange — crypto accounts are a common target for credential-stuffing attacks.

Step 2: Verify your identity

Kraken requires standard KYC before you can deposit fiat or withdraw above certain limits. You'll need a government-issued ID and, for higher tiers, proof of address (a recent utility bill or bank statement). Verification is usually processed within a few hours to a couple of days.

Step 3: Fund your account

Deposit via bank transfer, wire, or by sending crypto directly from another wallet or exchange. Bank transfers are typically fee-free in supported regions; wire transfers usually carry a flat fee.

Step 4: Switch to Kraken Pro

Once funded, toggle from the simple interface to Kraken Pro. This unlocks the full order book, limit/stop-loss/take-profit orders, and the lower volume-based fee tiers.

Step 5: Secure your account

Before moving meaningful funds, enable two-factor authentication using an authenticator app (not SMS) and turn on the Global Settings Lock, which time-locks changes to withdrawal addresses and security settings.

Making your first trade

On Kraken Pro, pick a trading pair (e.g. BTC/USD), choose a limit order to avoid taker fees, set your price, and confirm. Limit orders that add liquidity are cheaper than market orders that take it — a small habit that saves money over time.

Read the full Kraken Pro review →