Updated October 17, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Coinbase vs kraken
Coinbase
Higher score in this comparison
kraken
Coinbase vs kraken: the differences
| Compare | CoinbaseReviewVisitVisit | krakenReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Crypto, Futures | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, FuturesCovers more |
| Regulators | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) MiCA, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Alabama Securities Commission Money Transmitter License 509, Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), IE CBI | Central Bank of Ireland, CySEC, FCA, FINTRAC, FinCEN, SEC and FINRA, CFTC and NFA, AUSTRAC, Bermuda Monetary Authority, Comision Nacional de Valores (CNV), Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA), Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Zero fees to fund via linked bank account or paycheck deposit (Coinbase Card) | Varies by method and currency |
| Platforms | Advanced, Exchange | Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Maximum retail leverage | 10x | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Investor protection (EU ICS up to EUR 20,000), Currency conversion fee (0%).
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Key differences
- Coinbase scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
- Regulators: only Coinbase offers Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) MiCA, Alabama Securities Commission Money Transmitter License 509, Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF).
- Regulators: only kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, CySEC, FINTRAC.
- Founded is lower at kraken: 2011 vs 2012.
- kraken is licensed in 5 more countries.
- Markets: only kraken offers Stocks, ETFs.
- Platforms: only Coinbase offers Advanced, Exchange.
- Platforms: only kraken offers Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop.
- Support channels: only kraken offers Chat, Community.
- Features: only Coinbase offers Crypto, Mobile app.
Our verdict on each
Coinbase
A Coinbase notice says crypto-asset and additional services would be provided by Coinbase Luxembourg S.A.
kraken
Kraken suits UK and European buyers who want crypto, stocks, ETFs and futures in a single account, under licences from the Central Bank of Ireland, CySEC, the FCA and US regulators. The catch is trading cost: a taker fee of 0.8% against a site median of 0.25%, ranked 100 of 121 on price.
Score breakdown
| Area | Coinbase | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7Higher | 8.3 |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.8Higher |
| Trust | 9.4 | 9.7Higher |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Coinbase | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| ETFs | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | Coinbase | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Credit and debit cards | 18 of 1594 | 328 of 1594 |
| Investing | 21 of 654 | 26 of 654 |
| Crypto | 13 of 428 | 19 of 428 |
| Crypto exchanges | 11 of 330 | 17 of 330 |
| Crypto wallets | 10 of 249 | 13 of 249 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Coinbase | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Mobile app | Custodial, Self custody, Staking |
| Pricing model | No annual fee | Commission free |
| Audience | Experienced | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more |
| Legal entity | Coinbase Luxembourg S.A. | Payward Europe Solutions Limited |
| Headquarters | Luxembourg | Ireland |
| Founded | 2012 | 2011Lower |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Credit cards
| Fact | Coinbase | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Rewards type | Cashback | Not confirmed |
| Rewards rate | 2%, 2.5%, 3% or 4% bitcoin back tiered by assets on Coinbase; 5% back on Coinbase One Card Travel bookings; 2.5-4% tiers capped at a combined $10,000 eligible purchases per calendar month | Not confirmed |
| Perks | Zero trading fees on first $500/mo in trades (a spread applies), Boosted USDC rewards 4.00% APY on first $10K, then 3.60%, 5% more staking rewards on ETH, SOL and other eligible assets, $120 transaction credits on Base ($10/mo sponsored smart wallet gas), American Express retail protection, extended warranty and return protection, Trip cancellation/interruption, lost or damaged luggage and worldwide car rental loss & damage insurance, Roadside and emergency assistance, Eligibility check with no credit score impact, USDC security deposit option from $100 | Not confirmed |
| Cashback rate | 2% to 4% | Not confirmed |
| Card kind | Credit | Not confirmed |
Debit cards
| Fact | Coinbase | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | €0 |
| Free ATM withdrawals | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Card type | Prepaid | Debit |
| Top-up fee | free for direct deposit | Not confirmed |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 2% |
| Card network | Visa | Mastercard |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 600 |
| Custody | Custodial | Self custody |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | Coinbase | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | Not confirmed | 0.8% |
| Coins listed | 405 | 728Higher |
| Fiat deposit methods | Not confirmed | Card, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple pay |
| Maker fee | Not confirmed | 0.4% |
| Proof of reserves | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | Not confirmed | Variable per asset and method; static or dynamic funding fees |
| Derivatives | Yes | Yes |
| Exchange type | Cex | Cex |
Crypto wallets
| Fact | Coinbase | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Mobile | Mobile |
| Price | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Coins supported | 405 | Not confirmed |
| Backup options | Not confirmed | Seed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Coinbase | kraken | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0%below the median | 0%below the median | 0.4% |
Median across 94 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Coinbase
Pros
- Access to a large selection of cryptocurrencies in one place
- Advanced charting and order book tools for experienced traders
- Beginner guides and market updates for people learning about crypto
Cons
- Crypto values can move sharply, so losses are possible
- Some products and features are not available in every region
kraken
Pros
- Licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland, CySEC, the FCA, FinCEN, SEC and FINRA, CFTC and NFA, AUSTRAC and the Bermuda Monetary Authority, with EU protection stated as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
- Crypto, stocks, ETFs and futures sit in a single account, and the stock trade fee is $0.
- A self-custody mobile wallet priced at $0, with a seed phrase as backup, so coins need not sit on the exchange.
Cons
- Trading fees are the weak side: a taker fee of 0.8% and a maker fee of 0.4% against a site median taker fee of 0.25%.
- Deposit and withdrawal fees vary by method and currency, and withdrawal fees also vary per asset, so moving money costs change with the route.
- Custody differs by product, since the exchange is a centralised venue while the wallet is self-custody, and the platform covers custodial, self-custody and staking features together.
Who each suits
Coinbase
Who it suits
- Readers reviewing Coinbase’s Luxembourg entity and EEA service-transition notice.
Who should look elsewhere
- People who want assured, low-volatility returns
- Investors who prefer only traditional stocks
kraken
Who it suits
- EU and UK buyers who want stocks, ETFs and futures alongside crypto without a second platform.
- Coin holders who want to hold outside the exchange, with a self-custody wallet backed by a seed phrase.
- Spending crypto users, since the card pays cashback of 2% with a currency conversion fee of 0%.
Who should look elsewhere
- Taker-heavy traders, who may pay less on bunq, where the taker fee is 0.25% to 1.99% against 0.8% here.
- Readers who want yield priced on a crypto earn product rather than trading fees, where Vivid Plus charges 2.25%.
Questions about each
Coinbase
What can people do on the platform?+
People can buy, sell, transfer and store cryptocurrency, including coins such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. The service is built around simple buying and selling of digital assets, with analysis tools available for those who want more detailed market data.
What kinds of assets can people trade on this platform?+
People can buy, sell, transfer and store a wide range of cryptocurrencies, with hundreds of options available in total. Well known coins are part of the selection, alongside many smaller tokens. Trading tools are designed to suit both beginners and advanced traders who want detailed charts and market data.
kraken
What does it cost to trade on Kraken?+
Trading fees are the main charge. The taker fee is 0.8% and the maker fee is 0.4%, against a site median taker fee of 0.25%. Deposit and withdrawal fees vary by method and currency, while stock trades carry a stock trade fee of $0.
Is Kraken regulated and is money protected?+
Its regulator list runs from the Central Bank of Ireland and CySEC to the FCA, FinCEN, SEC and FINRA, CFTC and NFA, AUSTRAC and the Bermuda Monetary Authority. In the EU the stated protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, held through Payward Europe Solutions Limited. Proof of reserves is also offered.