Kraken is one of the oldest cryptocurrency platforms in the crypto market, catering to both new and expert cryptocurrency traders. By supporting over 200 cryptocurrencies, including altcoins and meme coins, Kraken gives investors more choices along with deep liquidity. The platform ranks No. 1 in Europe in large order executions with over 35% market share. In February, the platform launched an institutional offering to provide solutions like spot and over-the-counter (OTC) trading, custody and staking.
- Provides access to a broad range of major cryptocurrencies and altcoins
- Customizable order types, charts and leveraged futures trading
- Strong commitment to security and regulatory compliance
- Trusted by over 9 million clients in 190 countries
- Not available in all U.S. states — no services to New York and Washington residents
- You pay higher fees if you are not on Kraken Pro
- Multiple apps may be confusing to beginners
- Staking and rewards not available in the U.S.
Kraken Quick Summary
| Tradable assets | 200+ cryptocurrencies, including non-fungible tokens (NFTs), margin trading, futures trading, OTC trading, staking and more |
| Platform | Fully supports buying, selling and converting crypto using an intuitive interface |
| Mobile app | Kraken app to easily buy, sell and convert crypto and Kraken Pro for a professional trading experience |
| Account minimum | Varies depending on funding currency and crypto |
| Available account types | Taxable business or individual |
1. Overview: What is Kraken Pro?
Platform Description: Kraken Pro is an advanced trading interface offered by Kraken, one of the world's leading and cryptocurrency exchanges. It caters to traders seeking more sophisticated tools than those available on a standard crypto exchange interface.
Key Differentiators: UI customization, fast trade execution speed, “seamless” spot and derivatives trading and available across mobile, web, and desktop.
- Other selling points: Advanced order types, access to spot and futures markets, robust charting tools, and in-depth analytics.
2. Key Value Propositions: Kraken Pro & Futures trading
Depth and Liquidity: High liquidity across various trading pairs, ensuring competitive spreads and a reliable market for both spot and futures trading.
Advanced Trading Tools: Multiple order types (market, limit, stop orders, etc.) and in-depth charts that allow users to execute complex trading strategies.
Competitive Pricing:
- Spot: Low, volume-based fees that reward higher-volume traders with lower fees.
- Futures: Futures trading is generally lower cost than spot trading and allows users a capital-efficient way to trade with leverage.
- Kraken offers a premium platform with strong design and liquidity - we do not position our pricing as a distinctive value proposition and believe our clients are willing to pay for quality and security.
- Kraken Pro is free to access, for anyone with a Kraken account. Clients get unrestricted access to powerful charting and broad selection of indicators.
Regulatory Compliance:
- Kraken Pro comprises a number of offerings and instruments that are subject to different regulatory requirements - transferring fiat currency (like USD or EUR) onto the platform requires different licensing than trading e.g. derivatives.
- In Europe, Futures trading on Kraken Pro is subject to MiFID II regulation - that means we adhere to a variety of investor protection, KYC and operational controls to ensure a secure and reliable trading experience for our users.
- Within futures and derivatives trading, traders have many offshore trading options that offer users no guarantee of security or regulatory supervision and adherence.
Security: Kraken has a long legacy leading the industry in security practices, such as cold storage for digital assets and robust account protection features.
3. Accessing Kraken Pro
Web, Mobile & Desktop: Kraken Pro is available as a web-based interface (pro.kraken.com) and through a dedicated mobile app (iOS and Android). There is also a native desktop product, Kraken
Desktop.
Account Setup: Users can sign up on Kraken.com or on the mobile app, complete verification (following KYC requirements), then seamlessly access Kraken Pro once the account is approved. There are additional KYC and appropriateness requirements for leverage products like futures trading that have slight variations by region.
4. How to Get Started with Trading Futures on Kraken Pro
- Enable Futures Trading
- Users must meet eligibility requirements (varies by jurisdiction).
- Once eligible, a dedicated “Futures” tab will appear or become accessible within the account.
- Deposit Funds
- Fund the Kraken account via crypto deposits or fiat currency (bank transfer, wire, etc.), then allocate to the futures wallet.
- Select a Futures Contract
- Choose from a range of crypto futures contracts (e.g., BTC, ETH, and others).
- Set Order Parameters
- Place market or limit orders, specifying leverage, quantity, and price targets.
- Monitor & Manage Positions
- Track open positions and adjust or close them as market conditions evolve.
5. Why trade futures on Kraken Pro? (RTBs)
For existing crypto futures traders:
- Product simplicity + user experience
For tradfi derivatives users:
- Kraken is one of the most compliant, secure and transparent futures trading platform.
- Kraken offers on-shore, regulated trading
- We are supervised by a highly esteemed regulatory body that ensures safety & soundness of our platform, technology, security, privacy, and governance.
- This is the same regulatory standards that have safeguarded the traditional investment sector for decades
- An EU regulated offering comes with firm rules on investor protection
- We have the added protection of our fiat and crypto services adhering to a separate but similarly stringent set of regulations as well.
For all:
- The only place you can trade EU regulated perpetual futures
- Capital efficiency: With a variety of collateral options available, and up to 50x leverage - our clients can execute a range of strategies while minimizing their capital requirements, allowing them to take on larger positions with less capital.
- Trade with up to 50x leverage
- Multi-asset collateral including EUR, allowing users to hold the assets they choose for collateral
- Strong fiat onramps and ease of wallet transfer
- Comprehensive features and listings: 50+ derivatives markets
What Else is Available on Kraken Pro
Spot Trading: Access an extensive list of cryptocurrencies with real-time charts and order books.
Staking Services: Earn rewards on supported cryptocurrencies held in your Kraken account.
Advanced Reporting & Analysis: Comprehensive trade history, order book data, and charting tools for more informed trading decisions.
This marketing communication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments or to participate in any particular trading strategy. The information contained herein is not intended to be a comprehensive description of the financial instruments or services offered by [Kraken] [Payward Europe Digital Solutions Limited - Cyprus.]
Risk Warning: Investing in derivatives involves significant risk and is not suitable for all investors. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and investors may lose all their invested capital. In the case of leveraged products, losses may exceed the initial investment. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Geographic restrictions apply. Projected annual rate is an estimate based on the average staking rewards accrued over the past period, before commission, and is subject to change. Staking involves risks including no guarantee of rewards, potential loss from slashing or hacks, and depreciation in the value of assets while staked. Please refer to Kraken's Terms of Service for additional information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Kraken be trusted?
Industry experts acknowledge Kraken as a safe platform for trading cryptocurrencies. This does not mean that the platform is foolproof. The best way to secure your crypto is to transfer it out of the exchange and store it in a hardware wallet.
How reputable is Kraken?
Kraken has built a solid reputation among retail crypto investors. The bank has also been at the forefront of transparency, as shown through its periodic proof-of-stake audit.
Is Kraken Bank safe?
Kraken Bank can be safe because the platform holds 95% of deposits in cold storage units around the world.
