Kraken Pro Review: One of Crypto's Most Trusted Exchanges
Kraken has been around since 2011 and has never suffered a major hack. Here's why it's one of my go-to exchanges for serious trading.
What is Kraken Pro?
Kraken Pro is the advanced trading interface for Kraken, one of the longest-running and most secure crypto exchanges in the world. Founded in 2011, Kraken was one of the first exchanges to offer Bitcoin trading and has since expanded to support 200+ assets, advanced order types, margin and futures trading, and institutional-grade charting tools — all with competitive fees that scale down as your volume increases.
Unlike many newer exchanges that prioritize flashy features, Kraken has built its reputation on operational security and regulatory compliance. It's registered with FinCEN in the US and holds licenses across multiple jurisdictions in Europe, making it one of the more "boring but reliable" choices in an industry known for the opposite.
Kraken Pro fees explained
Kraken Pro uses a maker/taker fee model based on your trailing 30-day trading volume. Maker orders (adding liquidity) are cheaper than taker orders (removing liquidity), which rewards limit orders over market orders.
| 30-day volume | Maker fee | Taker fee |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $50k | 0.25% | 0.40% |
| $50k – $100k | 0.20% | 0.35% |
| $100k – $250k | 0.14% | 0.24% |
| $250k – $500k | 0.12% | 0.22% |
| $10M+ | 0.00% | 0.10% |
There are no deposit fees for crypto, and fiat deposit/withdrawal fees depend on the payment method and currency (typically free for bank transfers in supported regions, with a flat fee for wire transfers). Withdrawal fees for crypto vary by network and are passed through at roughly the real on-chain cost.
Security: why Kraken's track record matters
Security is the single biggest reason I keep meaningful balances on Kraken rather than newer exchanges. Since launching in 2011, Kraken has never suffered a successful exchange-level hack — a claim very few long-running exchanges can make, especially given how many high-profile breaches (Mt. Gox, FTX, various DeFi bridges) have happened industry-wide.
Kraken also publishes regular proof-of-reserves audits, uses offline cold storage for the vast majority of customer funds, and offers advanced account protections including a Global Settings Lock (which time-locks changes to withdrawal addresses and security settings) and mandatory two-factor authentication for withdrawals.
How to sign up for Kraken Pro
- Create an account — sign up with your email and set a strong password. Using a referral link gets you into the fee-discount queue faster during promotions.
- Verify your identity — Kraken requires standard KYC (government ID + proof of address) before you can deposit fiat or withdraw above certain limits. Verification is usually processed within a few hours to a couple of days.
- Fund your account — deposit via bank transfer, wire, or by sending crypto directly from another wallet or exchange.
- Switch to Kraken Pro — toggle from the simple buy/sell interface to Kraken Pro for lower fees and advanced order types (limit, stop-loss, take-profit, and more).
- Enable 2FA — set up an authenticator app (not SMS) and the Global Settings Lock before depositing meaningful funds.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry-leading security track record since 2011
- 200+ cryptocurrencies available
- Advanced charting and order types for serious traders
- Transparent, volume-based fee tiers
- Regular proof-of-reserves audits
Cons
- Interface has a learning curve for beginners
- Not available in all jurisdictions
- Customer support can be slow during high volatility
- Base fees are higher than some lower-cost competitors at low volume
Who it's for
Kraken Pro suits traders who value security and a long operating track record over flashy features. If you're moving meaningful capital and want peace of mind, Kraken's history speaks for itself. It's less ideal if you want the absolute lowest fees at low trading volume, or the widest selection of obscure altcoins — Binance tends to win on both fronts.
Try Kraken Pro
Sign up with my referral link — we both earn rewards. Referral code: 9c743pz5
Open Kraken Pro →Frequently asked questions
Is Kraken Pro safe to use?
Yes. Kraken has operated since 2011 and has never suffered a successful exchange-level hack, which is a rare track record in the crypto industry. It also holds proof-of-reserves audits and offers advanced account security like global settings lock.
What are Kraken Pro's trading fees?
Kraken Pro uses a volume-based maker/taker fee schedule, starting around 0.25%/0.40% for low-volume traders and scaling down significantly as your 30-day trading volume increases.
Is Kraken Pro good for beginners?
Kraken Pro's advanced interface has a learning curve, so complete beginners may prefer Kraken's simpler standard interface first. Once comfortable, Kraken Pro offers more control over order types and fees.
How long does Kraken verification take?
Basic identity verification is usually processed within a few hours to a couple of days, depending on document quality and current volume of applications. Higher verification tiers for larger withdrawal limits can take longer.
Does Kraken support margin and futures trading?
Yes, Kraken Pro offers margin trading and futures contracts in supported jurisdictions, in addition to standard spot trading. Availability varies by region due to local regulations.
What's the difference between Kraken and Kraken Pro?
Kraken's standard interface is a simplified buy/sell experience aimed at beginners, while Kraken Pro exposes the full order book, advanced order types, and lower fee tiers aimed at active traders.