Kraken vs Crypto.com
Side-by-side comparison of fees, features, and country availability. Last updated 2026.
Quick Verdict
Kraken is the better pick for most people. It scores higher in user ratings (4.5) and is best for us users who want security and regulatory clarity.
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Kraken | Crypto.com |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Singapore |
| Maker Fee | 0.16% | 0.075% |
| Taker Fee | 0.26% | 0.075% |
| Spot Pairs | 280 | 250 |
| Min Deposit | $10 | $1 |
| US Users | Yes | Yes |
| KYC Required | Yes | Yes |
| Max Leverage | 5x | 0x |
| Staking | Yes | Yes |
| User Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 3.8 |
| Liquidity Tier | T1 | T2 |
| BTC Withdrawal | 0.00002 BTC | 0.0006 BTC |
| USDT (TRC-20) Withdrawal | 1 USDT | 1.5 USDT |
| USDT (ERC-20) Withdrawal | 5 USDT | 8 USDT |
Fees verified Apr 22, 2026 for Kraken, May 1, 2026 for Crypto.com. See all hidden fees →
Most users land on the Crypto.com App, which charges ~2.99% per trade — use the Crypto.com Exchange product instead for the published 0.075% maker/taker fees. State availability in the US has shifted multiple times; confirm yours is supported before depositing.
Kraken
- Strong security record (never hacked)
- Available to US residents in most states
- Transparent proof-of-reserves
- Good fiat on/off-ramp options
- Higher fees than offshore competitors
- Fewer altcoins than Binance or MEXC
- Leverage capped at 5x for US users
Crypto.com
- Crypto.com Exchange offers competitive 0.075% maker/taker fees with CRO discounts
- Crypto.com Visa Card pays up to 5% crypto cashback at higher staking tiers
- 250+ coins with strong altcoin coverage on the Exchange product
- CRO Earn supports staking yields on dozens of assets
- Available in most US states (verify yours before signing up)
- The Crypto.com App charges roughly 2.99% per trade — far above the Exchange product's 0.075%
- App and Exchange are effectively two separate products with very different pricing — beginners often miss the Exchange entirely
- US derivatives are not available; leverage products live on the EU/UK/Asia platform only
- Card cashback rates were cut significantly in 2022–23; meaningful rewards now require large CRO stakes
- Customer support response times have a mixed track record
Which should you choose: Kraken or Crypto.com?
Kraken was founded in 2011 and is best known for us users who want security and regulatory clarity. Crypto.com, on the other hand, launched in 2016 and stands out for mobile-first traders who want a visa card and broad coin access.
Fees
On standard trades, Kraken charges a maker fee of 0.16% and a taker fee of 0.26%, while Crypto.com charges 0.075% and 0.075% respectively. For a trader doing $10,000 in monthly volume, that difference adds up to roughly $ 18.50 in saved fees per month on the cheaper side.
Withdrawal costs
Trading fees get most of the attention, but withdrawal fees often matter more for anyone who actually moves crypto off-exchange. Kraken charges 0.00002 BTC per withdrawal, while Crypto.com charges 0.0006 BTC. For stablecoin transfers, both exchanges support TRC-20 (which is dramatically cheaper than ERC-20 in most market conditions). If you plan to withdraw weekly or more, the difference here can outweigh any maker/taker savings — see our full hidden-fees guide for the breakdown across all major exchanges.
Country availability
Kraken supports US residents. Crypto.com supports US residents. If you are in the US and neither supports you directly, you'll want to look at Kraken, Coinbase, or Gemini instead.
Bottom line
For most traders, Kraken is the better choice. It scores higher in user ratings (4.5) and is best for us users who want security and regulatory clarity. That said, if your priority is mobile-first traders who want a visa card and broad coin access, the other exchange may actually fit your use case better.
FAQ
Is Kraken safer than Crypto.com?
Both exchanges publish proof-of-reserves and have security measures in place. Kraken has been operating since 2011 and Crypto.com since 2016. Neither has a perfect record, so you should never store long-term funds on any exchange — use a hardware wallet for holdings you are not actively trading.
Can US residents use Kraken or Crypto.com?
Kraken is available to US residents. Crypto.com is available to US residents. US traders should avoid using VPNs to access restricted exchanges — it violates terms of service and can freeze your funds.
Which has lower fees, Kraken or Crypto.com?
Crypto.com has lower taker fees (0.075% vs 0.26%), making it cheaper for active traders.