Kraken is a long-running US-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange, founded in 2011 — one of the oldest still operating. Per our June 2026 research, it holds EU MiCA CASP authorisation via Ireland and Luxembourg, which we mark verified against the ESMA-register angle. Kraken is known for spot, margin and derivatives trading and a long operating history without a major loss-of-funds breach. We have not completed a hands-on test and publish no fees, supported-coin counts, withdrawal limits or rating until confirmed against a primary source. Crypto is high-risk; nothing here is financial advice.
Regulatory standing
Kraken is a private, US-headquartered exchange and, per our research, holds EU MiCA CASP authorisation through Ireland and Luxembourg — checkable on the ESMA register and the Central Bank of Ireland and CSSF. A CASP authorisation in one EU/EEA state passports across the bloc, so those licences underpin its EU service. As a private company it discloses less than a listed peer, so weigh that when judging counterparty transparency.
A licence does not guarantee availability in your country or for the product you want — confirm Kraken's current registration with your own national regulator and read its terms for your jurisdiction before depositing.
Track record and security
Kraken has one of the longer continuous operating histories in the sector and is frequently noted for not having suffered a major customer-funds breach, though no exchange is immune and past performance is not a guarantee. It publishes security and proof-of-reserves material from time to time; read the current documentation rather than relying on reputation.
Secure your own account regardless of the exchange's record: strong two-factor authentication, withdrawal address whitelisting and a unique password. Cryptoassets on any exchange sit largely outside deposit-compensation protection.
Fees, coins and limits
Kraken publishes a maker-taker fee schedule, a supported-asset list and withdrawal limits that vary by verification level and product. Its Pro interface and its simple buy flow can carry very different costs. We do not reproduce a figure we have not confirmed against Kraken's current pages — check the live schedule on Kraken's own site before you trade, and compare the Pro order-book price against any simple-buy quote.
Strengths & limitations
Strengths
- One of the oldest exchanges (since 2011) with a long operating history.
- Holds EU MiCA CASP authorisation (Ireland/Luxembourg) per our research, checkable on the ESMA register.
- Often noted for not having suffered a major loss-of-funds breach (verify current security disclosures).
Limitations
- Private company — less public financial disclosure than a listed exchange.
- Availability and products vary by country and verification level — verify first.
- We have not completed a hands-on test, so we publish no fees, limits or rating.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kraken regulated in the EU?
Per our June 2026 research, Kraken holds EU MiCA CASP authorisation via Ireland and Luxembourg, checkable on the ESMA register. A CASP authorisation in one EU/EEA member state passports across the bloc. Confirm Kraken's current standing with your own national regulator before depositing. This is information, not financial advice.
Is Kraken safe?
Kraken has a long operating history and is often noted for not having suffered a major customer-funds breach, and holds an EU MiCA CASP authorisation per our research — but no exchange is risk-free, and cryptoassets are volatile and largely outside compensation-scheme protection. Read its current security and custody documentation and verify its standing before depositing. This is information, not financial advice.