Coinbase vs Kraken
Coinbase vs Kraken compared on trading fees, fiat support, security record and US state coverage. Both are regulated US venues — the difference is what you pay.
- FinCEN-registered MSB
- NMLS ID 1804170 · 40+ US state licences
- Operating since 2013
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| Coinbase | Kraken | |
|---|---|---|
| Spot maker / taker | 0.6% / 1.2% | 0.25% / 0.4% |
| Founded | 2012 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | United States (publicly listed, NASDAQ: COIN) | United States |
| Assets listed | 250+ | 200+ |
| Fiat currencies | USD, EUR, GBP | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, CHF, JPY |
| Derivatives | Regulated futures through Coinbase Financial Markets in eligible jurisdictions | Kraken Futures with perpetuals, unavailable in several jurisdictions including the US retail market |
| KYC | Full KYC required, including identity documents and proof of address. | Tiered verification; trading requires at least intermediate verification. |
| Key restrictions | Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Crimea | Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Afghanistan |
| Full Coinbase review | Full Kraken review |
The verdict first
Kraken is cheaper for anyone trading below serious volume: 0.25%/0.40% on Kraken Pro against Coinbase Advanced's 0.60%/1.20% base tier. Kraken also supports more fiat currencies and has the longer unbroken security record, running since 2011. Coinbase wins on disclosure as a listed company, on interface polish, and on having the widest US state coverage. If you are comparing the simple interfaces on both, stop — use Kraken Pro or Coinbase Advanced instead and keep the difference.
Coinbase in one paragraph
Coinbase is a US-listed public company, which means quarterly filings, audited accounts and a level of disclosure no offshore exchange matches. The catch is pricing: the simple buy/sell interface most newcomers use is among the most expensive ways to buy crypto anywhere, while the Advanced Trade interface on the same account is competitive.
Kraken in one paragraph
Kraken launched in 2011 and has never suffered a major loss of customer funds — a claim almost no other exchange of its age can make. It is not the cheapest venue and its interface has always favoured function over polish, but it has the longest unbroken operating record in the industry.
What the fee difference actually costs
On a $10,000 market order, Coinbase's 1.2% taker fee costs $120 and Kraken's 0.4% costs $40 — a difference of $80 per trade. Trade twice a week for a year and that gap compounds to roughly $8320.
That arithmetic only matters if you trade. If you buy once a month and hold, the fee difference is noise next to whether the venue is available in your country, whether your bank will fund it, and whether it is still operating in five years.
Who should pick which
- Pick Coinbase if publicly listed with audited financial statements matters most to you, and you can access it where you live.
- Pick Kraken if operating since 2011 with no major customer-fund loss matters more.
- Pick neither if you are in a jurisdiction where the one you prefer restricts the product you want — that decision is made for you, and trying to route around it puts your funds at risk of being frozen.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coinbase or Kraken cheaper?
At base tier, Kraken: 0.25% maker / 0.4% taker against Coinbase's 0.6% / 1.2%. Both reduce with volume, and both charge considerably more on their simple buy interfaces. Work out the cost of a specific trade in our fee calculator.
Which is safer, Coinbase or Kraken?
"Safer" depends on what you are protecting against. Kraken has the longer operating record, running since 2011. On regulatory footing: Coinbase — United States (publicly listed, NASDAQ: COIN); Kraken — United States. Neither operating history nor licensing guarantees anything, but they are the only evidence available before the fact.
Can I use both Coinbase and Kraken?
In many jurisdictions, yes, and plenty of traders do — one venue for fiat on-ramp and long-term holdings, another for the deeper books or the wider listing. Check the country restrictions on each review page first: Coinbase restricts Iran, North Korea, Syria among others, and Kraken restricts Iran, North Korea, Syria.
Which has more coins listed?
Coinbase lists 250+ and Kraken lists 200+. More is not automatically better — a longer listing also means a higher share of thinly traded, low-quality assets.