Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Airwallex vs Kraken
Airwallex
Kraken
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | AirwallexReviewVisitVisit | KrakenReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | £0 | €0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | 0%Lower |
| Cashback rate | 2% | 0.5% to 2% |
| Card network | Visa | Mastercard |
| Currencies | 20 | 600Higher |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Custody | Not confirmed | Self custody |
Same on both: Card type (Debit).
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Key differences
- Kraken scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.0.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Kraken: 0% vs 0.5%.
- Currencies is higher at Kraken: 600 vs 20.
- Features: only Airwallex offers Multi currency, Virtual card, Travel.
- Features: only Kraken offers Crypto, Mobile app.
- Audience: only Airwallex offers Business.
- Audience: only Kraken offers Beginners, Experienced.
Our verdict on each
Airwallex
Airwallex suits businesses that collect and pay in several currencies and want a card on the same balance. The account is a easy access one with a monthly fee of £0, and spare cash earns 2.18% to 3.83% while a debit card handles day to day spend.
Kraken
Kraken suits active crypto traders who also want stocks, ETFs, forex and futures alongside digital assets, with commission free stock dealing at $0 and cover shown as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000. Support runs through help centre routes, so traders who want phone help should weigh that trade off before opening an account.
Score breakdown
| Area | Airwallex | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2A monthly fee of £0 leads the field, but the conversion fee of 0.5% sits well above Wise. | 9.3HigherStock dealing costs stay lean at $0 for equity orders. |
| Offer | 9.4HigherCovers 20 currencies with a yield rate of 2.18% to 3.83% and help centre, phone and chat support. | 9.0Market choice spans stocks, ETFs and forex with broad coin coverage. |
| Trust | 8.5 | 9.3HigherOversight links to Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Conduct Authority with stated scheme cover. |
Pick Airwallex if, pick Kraken if
Pick Airwallex if offer matter most.
Pick Kraken if trust, currency conversion fee, and currencies matter most.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Airwallex | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Credit and debit cards | 6 of 1594 | 327 of 1594 |
| Debit cards | 4 of 826 | 15 of 826 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Airwallex | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Not confirmed | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020 |
| Netherlands | De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) R179622 | Not confirmed |
| Singapore | Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) PS20200541 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 71030 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Airwallex | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Multi currency, Virtual card, Travel | Crypto, Mobile app |
| Audience | Business | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Singapore | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2015 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre, Phone, Chat | Not confirmed |
Savings
| Fact | Airwallex | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 2.18% to 3.83% | Not confirmed |
| Rate type | Variable | Not confirmed |
| Minimum deposit | HK$0 | $1 |
| Deposit protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Access terms | Airwallex Yield: no lock-up, no minimum balance, daily returns, funds settle to and from Yield balances within 2 business days | Not confirmed |
| Account kind | Easy access | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | Airwallex | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | Not confirmed | 0.05% to 0.8% |
| Coins listed | Not confirmed | 728 |
| Fiat deposit methods | Not confirmed | Card, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple pay |
| Maker fee | Not confirmed | 0% to 0.4% |
| Proof of reserves | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Derivatives | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Exchange type | Not confirmed | Cex |
Crypto wallets
| Fact | Airwallex | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Not confirmed | Mobile |
| Price | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Coins supported | Not confirmed | 728 |
| Backup options | Not confirmed | Seed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Airwallex | Kraken | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%below the median | 0%below the median | 1% |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | €0below the median | €4 |
| Cashback rate | 2%at the median | 0.5% to 2%at the median | 2% |
| Currencies | 20above the median | 600highest quarter | 8 |
Median across 336 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Airwallex
Pros
- A monthly fee of £0 on the business account, with a conversion fee of 0.5% on currency changes.
- The yield balance is easy access, takes a minimum deposit of HKD 0 and pays 2.18% to 3.83% on a variable rate.
- A debit card on the visa network, plus virtual cards, with access to 20 currencies.
Cons
- The conversion fee of 0.5% is well above Wise at 0.1%, which puts Airwallex at 116 of 258 on that measure.
- The account is for business users, so personal savers have no product to open.
- Money settles to and from the yield balance within a short settlement window, which can hold up a same-day supplier payment.
Kraken
Pros
- Commission free stock dealing at $0, below DKB at €10
- Low entry with $1 alongside fiat choice across card, bank and SEPA
- Broad venue with stocks, ETFs and forex and 728 plus published proof of reserves
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only, so you manage queries through help centre paths.
- Card funding carries extra cost within Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, so bank routes suit cost aware deposits.
- Coin trading fees run 0.05% to 0.8%, so frequent takers should weigh volume tiers.
Who each suits
Airwallex
Who it suits
- Companies paid in several currencies, since the account holds 20.
- Firms that want a debit card and virtual cards for staff spending and subscriptions.
- Businesses parking spare cash in a easy access yield balance paying 2.18% to 3.83%.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone whose main spend is currency conversion, because Wise charges 0.1% against 0.5% here.
- Personal savers, since the account is for business use and bunq offers a personal plan at €0 a month.
- Borrowers rather than spenders, since Varo Believe Secured Credit Card is a credit card with a monthly fee of $0.
Kraken
Who it suits
- Active traders wanting crypto plus stocks, ETFs, forex and futures in a shared venue
- Cost aware equity investors drawn to dealing at $0 with modest entry at $1
Who should look elsewhere
- ActivTrades if you want phone led help rather than help centre paths on help centre
- DKB if you prefer bank bundled investing over crypto led coverage at 728
Country by country
| Country | Airwallex | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| China | Yes | No |
| France | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Hong Kong | Yes | No |
| Israel | Yes | No |
| Japan | Yes | No |
8 of 17 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Airwallex
What does it cost to keep an Airwallex account?+
The business account carries a monthly fee of £0. Converting money costs 0.5%, which is the main charge to watch, and card spending earns cashback of 2%. The yield balance takes a minimum deposit of HKD 0.
Is my money protected?+
Deposit protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000. The group also appears on the registers of the Monetary Authority of Singapore and De Nederlandsche Bank, and the legal entity named in the records is Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd..
Kraken
What is the minimum deposit to start with Kraken?+
You can open an account with $1, which keeps entry modest for new funders. Bank routes are available alongside card and wallet paths, so you can choose the rail that fits your timing and cost preference.
How much does Kraken charge for stocks and crypto trades?+
Stock dealing is shown as $0, which keeps equity orders lean. Crypto taker fees run 0.05% to 0.8%, so your all in cost depends on asset class, order type and monthly volume tier.
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