Exchange review

Kraken

One of the longest-running crypto exchanges, offering spot, margin, and a dedicated futures product, with a reputation for regulatory conservatism over any other major exchange.

At a glance

Founded: 2011
Regions: Available in most regions; futures product restricted in some jurisdictions including parts of the US — verify local availability before signing up.

Fees

Maker: Verify current tier — Kraken uses a volume-based maker/taker schedule
Taker: Verify current tier — Kraken uses a volume-based maker/taker schedule

Products

Spot, Margin, Perpetual futures, Dated futures

Pros

Long operating history and a conservative security/regulatory posture relative to peers
Separate, purpose-built futures product rather than a bolted-on feature
Wide fiat on-ramp support in supported regions

Cons

Futures product not available in every region, including parts of the US
Interface can feel less streamlined than newer derivatives-first platforms
Historically slower to list new assets than some competitors

No affiliate link yet — the Kraken affiliate application hasn't been approved.

Editorial note

This review is a launch-draft placeholder — fee figures, regional availability, and the “Open account” link all need to be verified and wired up before this page goes live. affiliateReady: false in the frontmatter is intentional: no affiliate link should render on this page until the Kraken affiliate application (flagged in the founder punch list) is approved and the terms are confirmed.

Full walkthroughs referencing this exchange: see How to Trade BTC Perpetual Futures on Kraken.