kraken review
Updated October 12, 2026 · BorrowCue Editorial Team
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Our verdict
For active traders, Kraken offers crypto, stocks, futures and staking with depth across 600 plus crypto pairs and thousands of stocks and ETFs. It suits people who want web, mobile and API access with self custody and worldwide spending in one account.
Key facts
- Best for
- Active traders wanting crypto and stocks together
- Credit check
- None (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Funding time
- At purchase execution in the buy flow, no separate application (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Lender type
- Direct lender (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Free early repayment
- Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Loan types
- Secured (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Payward Europe Solutions Limited (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- Ireland (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2011 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Phone, Help-centre (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Features
- Same-day funding
- Official website
- kraken.com
Apps and profiles
- Get the app
- App StoreGoogle Play
Pros and cons
Pros
- Wide choice across crypto, stocks, futures and staking in one place
- Web, mobile app and API access with fast execution and deep liquidity
- Self custody with worldwide spending and sending from balances
- Recurring buys plus tools for active and institutional trading
Cons
- Equities access remains limited to one country and not every state
- Focus stays on active trading rather than occasional simple buying
- Access depends on web, mobile app or API without branch service
Who it suits
- Active traders managing crypto alongside stocks and ETFs
- People who value API, mobile and web access together
- Users interested in staking, futures and self custody
Who should look elsewhere
- People seeking a branch based service
- People wanting only occasional simple purchases
The company behind it
Kraken has operated since 2011 and presents itself as used by millions worldwide. Technology is offered by Payward, Inc., while brokerage services are provided by Kraken Securities' LLC, described as a wholly owned subsidiary of Payward, Inc. Equities activity sits under that brokerage unit, which is registered only in the United States. The group runs activity across crypto, stocks, futures, staking and related infrastructure for traders, institutions and token projects.
How your money is protected
Kraken highlights security, deep liquidity and self custody for crypto holdings. Brokerage services involve Kraken Securities' LLC, identified as a member of FINRA and SIPC, with disclosures for equities available through Kraken. Margin, derivatives and staking are accompanied by risk disclosures covering suitability, possible loss and changing reward conditions. Geographic restrictions also apply to certain products, including margin and selected stock like instruments.
How kraken compares
8lends
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Multitude
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Finbro
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Where kraken is available
- Available
- Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Cyprus, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States
- Licence in Ireland
- Central Bank of Ireland (Crypto Asset Service Provider, Payward Europe Solutions Limited and Payward Global Solutions Limited), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in Ireland
- Central Bank of Ireland (fiat services, Payward Ireland Limited), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in Cyprus
- Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited) (342/17), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in United Kingdom
- Financial Conduct Authority (cryptoasset business registration, Payward Limited), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in United Kingdom
- Financial Conduct Authority (electronic money, Payward Services Limited) (1010381), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in United Kingdom
- Financial Conduct Authority (Investment Firm, Crypto Facilities Limited, Kraken MTF) (757895), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in Australia
- AUSTRAC (Bit Trade Pty Ltd, ACN 163 237 634), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in United States
- FinCEN (Payward Interactive, Inc. Money Services Business; NMLS ID 1843762) (31000270997766), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in United States
- FINRA/SIPC (Kraken Securities LLC), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in Bermuda
- Bermuda Monetary Authority (Payward Digital Solutions Ltd.), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in Ireland
- IE_CBI (PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020), checked September 26, 2026, also valid in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia
- Licence in Ireland
- Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) (MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458), checked September 26, 2026, also valid in Cyprus, Ireland
Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What products does Kraken cover?+
Kraken covers crypto, stocks, futures and staking, plus self custody and tools for token projects and platforms. The trading setup includes spot and margin, futures without forced rolls, and recurring buys for longer term habits.
How does online access and the app work?+
Access is provided through web, mobile app and API, with trading across hundreds of crypto pairs and thousands of stocks and ETFs. The same account supports buying, selling, earning on assets, and spending balances with merchants worldwide.
Where is Kraken available?+
Kraken presents itself as used by millions worldwide, while some services carry geographic restrictions. Equities are available in the United States only and may not be offered in every state.
How does margin and leveraged trading work?+
Margin trading is subject to limitations and eligibility criteria, and derivatives can involve significant risk. Kraken points readers to its margin disclosure statement, risk disclosure and terms of service for detail.
Which company operates kraken?+
kraken is operated by Payward Europe Solutions Limited. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Where is kraken based?+
kraken is based in Ireland. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
When was kraken founded?+
kraken was founded in 2011. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
How can I contact kraken support?+
kraken offers support through Email, Phone, Help-centre. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Sources
- coingecko.com/en/exchanges/kraken checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded
“year_established=2011”
- euclid.eba.europa.eu/register/downloads/PSDMD/20260926/do... checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Legal entity, Headquarters, Licences
“EntityCode=IE_CBI!C468360; EntityType=PSD_PI; ENT_NAM=Payward Europe Solutions Limited”
- play.google.com/store/apps/details checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Support channels
“24/7/365 global customer support; Support email mobile-pro@kraken.com; +1 707-563-9806”
- kraken.com/features/borrow checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Loan types, Lender type, Features, Free early repayment, Funding time
“Your crypto is held as collateral and returned when you repay”
- kraken.com/learn/what-are-crypto-loans checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Credit check
“No credit check, because approval is based on collateral rather than credit history”
Compiled from 8 source pages, checked October 12, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: APR, Loan amount, Term, Arrangement fee, Representative example.