How to Buy Ethereum (ETH) on Kraken

Before you start

Before you buy any cryptocurrency, make sure you understand what you're buying. Ethereum is the leading smart contract platform and the second-largest crypto by market cap. ETH powers DeFi, NFTs, and most of the token ecosystem. Only invest what you can afford to lose — crypto prices are volatile and can move 10-20% in a single day.

Step 1: Create a Kraken account

Visit Kraken's signup page and enter your email and a strong password. Use a password manager — don't reuse a password from another site. You'll receive a verification email; click the link inside to activate your account.

Enable two-factor authentication immediately in your account settings. Use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy — do not use SMS for 2FA, as SIM-swap attacks are a major cause of exchange account takeovers.

Step 2: Complete identity verification (KYC)

Kraken requires identity verification before you can deposit or withdraw. You'll need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and usually a selfie for liveness checks. Verification typically takes 5 to 15 minutes, though it can take up to 24 hours during high-volume periods. There's no way around this — any legitimate exchange in most jurisdictions is legally required to collect this information.

Step 3: Deposit funds

Once verified, you can fund your account several ways. Bank transfers (ACH in the US, SEPA in Europe) are usually cheapest but take 1-3 business days. Debit card deposits are instant but charge a 1-4% fee. If you already hold crypto on another platform, you can deposit by sending it to your Kraken deposit address — just make sure to pick the correct network. The minimum deposit at Kraken is $10.

Step 4: Buy Ethereum

Navigate to the spot trading section and search for ETH. Most pairs are quoted against USD, USDT (Tether), or USDC. Choose your preferred pair, select "Buy," and enter either a dollar amount or a quantity of ETH.

You'll see two order types: market orders buy immediately at the current price (you pay the 0.26% taker fee), while limit orders let you set a specific price and wait for the market to hit it (you pay the lower 0.16% maker fee if filled). For a first purchase, market orders are simplest.

Step 5: Secure your ETH

Once your order fills, your Ethereum will appear in your Kraken wallet. For active trading, it's fine to leave it there. But for any long-term holding, the best practice is to withdraw to a hardware wallet (Ledger or Trezor) where only you control the keys. Exchange hacks and insolvencies are the number one way people lose crypto — "not your keys, not your coins" is the rule for a reason.

Fees when buying Ethereum on Kraken

• Maker fee: 0.16% (limit orders that don't fill immediately)
• Taker fee: 0.26% (market orders and immediately-filling limit orders)
• Deposit fees: Typically free for crypto deposits and ACH/bank transfer; 1-4% for debit card
• Withdrawal fees: Variable by network; check the withdrawal screen before confirming

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending crypto on the wrong network (e.g., sending ERC-20 USDT to a TRC-20 address) — funds are usually lost permanently
• Using SMS for 2FA instead of an authenticator app
• Keeping large balances on an exchange instead of a hardware wallet
• Buying with money you can't afford to lose
• Panic selling during drawdowns — ETH has historically had multiple 50%+ corrections

Alternatives to Kraken

Kraken isn't your only option. If you're in the US, look at Kraken, Coinbase, or Gemini. If you want lower fees or more altcoin selection, consider Kraken Pro. Compare them side-by-side on our comparison pages.