Kraken Crypto Exchange
- Best for: Beginners buying and holding crypto
- What Sets It Apart: No major hack of customer funds since 2011; Auto-Earn staking starts earning automatically with no setup required
- Cost: $0 account fee; 1% instant purchase fee; 1.5% on custom orders
- Features: Auto-Earn staking up to 21% APY* on select assets; Recurring purchases; 650+ assets
- Pros: No learning curve; Automatic staking yield; Proven security record
- Cons: 1% fee on instant buys; Staking varies by state; Limited active trading tools
Kraken has operated since 2011 without a major hack of customer funds, a track record few crypto exchanges can match. If you’re buying crypto for the first time, start here: your assets earn staking rewards automatically through Auto-Earn, and you can upgrade to professional trading tools whenever you’re ready.
Kraken’s standard platform is the entry point to one of crypto’s most trusted exchanges. Buy, sell, and convert 650+ assets in a few taps, set up recurring purchases for dollar-cost averaging, or use bundled portfolios to spread exposure across several cryptocurrencies in a single transaction. Most accounts verify and fund within minutes, and the app is available on both iOS and Android.
Key Features
- Flat 1% fee on instant purchases (1.5% on custom orders)
- 650+ supported cryptocurrencies
- Recurring purchases and bundled portfolios
- Auto-Earn: automatic staking rewards on idle assets, up to 21% APY* on select assets
- iOS and Android apps; account setup takes minutes
Pros
- Simple interface with no learning curve for new crypto buyers
- Auto-Earn puts idle assets to work with no manual setup required
- Security track record: no major hack of customer funds since 2011
Cons
- 1% instant purchase fee is higher than some competitors
- On-chain staking not available to all U.S. residents; eligibility varies by state
- Limited tools for active traders (Kraken Pro is the upgrade path)
Auto-Earn is the quiet standout here. Eligible assets start earning staking rewards automatically the moment they sit in your account, with no opt-in, no lockup periods to navigate, and no technical knowledge required. That passive yield layer is something most beginner-focused platforms do not offer without friction. If you want a trusted, low-friction way to buy crypto and earn on what you hold, the standard Kraken platform delivers. And if you eventually want more, Kraken Pro is right there whenever you are ready.
*APY rates are variable and not guaranteed. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Not investment advice. Crypto trading involves risk of loss and is offered to US customers through Payward Interactive, Inc. View legal disclosures at kraken.com/legal/disclosures.
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. Margin may not be marketed in the EEA, UK or AU. It is not available in Canada.
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