Kraken Exchange is one of the most trusted and long-standing crypto trading platforms in the world.
Launched in 2011, it allows users to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many others. Kraken is known for its strong security, wide range of coins, competitive fees, and advanced trading features.
Whether you're just starting or already an experienced trader, Kraken makes it easy to manage crypto investments in a secure and reliable environment
Best Features Of Kraken Exchange
If you’re new to Kraken, getting started is straightforward and packed with useful tools for different trading goals. Here’s a look at five popular features and how to use them smartly.
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Simple Buy and Sell
Kraken’s Simple Buy tool is a fast way to purchase or sell crypto without getting into complex charts or trading screens. It’s designed for beginners or anyone who wants a quick transaction.
Choose your asset easily: A clean interface allows you to select from dozens of top cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Dogecoin.
Set your purchase amount: Enter a dollar amount and the platform will calculate how much crypto you'll get, based on live pricing.
Pay with flexible methods: Fund your purchase via bank transfer, debit card, or Apple Pay, depending on your location.
This option is ideal for new users or long-term holders making occasional purchases. It prioritizes ease and speed over advanced features or order types.
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Spot Trading Platform
Kraken’s Spot Trading gives you direct access to the cryptocurrency markets, allowing you to buy or sell coins with full control over pricing and timing.
Use advanced order types: set up limit orders to buy low or sell high, or use stop-losses to automatically manage risk.
Trade in real-time: Track fast-moving price charts and execute trades instantly based on your analysis.
Access diverse markets: You can trade crypto pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/EUR across multiple fiat and digital assets.
Spot Trading is better suited for investors who want more strategy and control. If you plan to trade frequently or time your entries, this feature offers more precision than the Simple Buy feature.
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Kraken Staking
With Kraken’s staking feature, you can earn rewards simply by holding certain cryptocurrencies in your account. It’s a way to make your assets work for you while you hold them.
Earn on multiple assets: Stake coins like ETH, DOT, ADA, and even fiat like EUR with competitive annual returns.
Start and stop easily: Many assets offer flexible or no-lock periods, meaning you can unstake whenever you want.
Track estimated rewards: View projected yields before committing, so you know what to expect from each asset.
Staking works well if you’re holding assets long-term and want to grow them passively. It’s a smart alternative to just letting coins sit idle in your wallet.
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Kraken Futures
Kraken Futures allows advanced traders to profit from market moves without owning the underlying crypto. It’s built for short-term strategies and price speculation.
Use leverage carefully: Access up to 50x leverage to increase trade size, but understand that it also increases potential losses.
Trade long or short: Make money whether the market goes up or down by choosing the direction of your trade.
Manage risk tools: Use tools like margin calculators and take-profit/stop-loss orders to protect your position.
This feature fits experienced traders who follow the market closely. It can be profitable, but requires a solid understanding of risk management and volatility.
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Margin Trading
Kraken’s Margin Trading allows you to borrow funds and increase your buying or selling power in the market.
Trade with leverage: Access up to 5x leverage on major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Short selling available: Bet against an asset's price by opening short positions easily through the trading interface.
Built-in risk management: Use automatic liquidation levels and margin calls to monitor and limit your exposure.
Margin Trading is useful for experienced traders looking to maximize gains, but it’s critical to manage leverage carefully because losses can also multiply quickly.
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Parachain Auctions (Polkadot and Kusama)
Kraken lets users easily participate in Parachain Auctions, helping projects win slots on the Polkadot and Kusama networks.
Contribute crypto directly: Bond your DOT or KSM tokens through Kraken’s interface without needing external wallets.
Earn rewards: Receive project-specific rewards if the parachain wins, potentially adding bonus value to your holdings.
Manage contributions simply: Track your bonded tokens and expected rewards from your Kraken account.
Participating in auctions through Kraken is a streamlined way to support new blockchain projects and earn unique crypto rewards without needing technical know-how.
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Kraken Pro Mobile App
The Kraken Pro app is built for active traders who want full trading functionality on the go. It mirrors the desktop experience with fast execution and deep analytics.
Get full charting tools: Use candlestick charts, indicators, and drawing tools to analyze price action directly on your phone.
Save on fees: Kraken Pro offers lower trading fees compared to the main Kraken interface, especially for high-volume users.
Set instant alerts: Create push notifications to stay informed about major price changes or market opportunities.
Kraken Pro is great if you want flexibility and don’t want to miss trading opportunities while away from your desk. It keeps you connected and reactive in real time.
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Deep Liquidity Across Markets
Kraken Pro connects you to some of the deepest liquidity in major crypto pairs, making large trades faster and cheaper.
Tight spreads: Benefit from minimal price differences between buying and selling, reducing trading costs.
High-volume support: Place big orders without significantly moving the market, especially with BTC/USD, ETH/USD, and popular altcoins.
24/7 active markets: Trade anytime with consistent liquidity, even during volatile periods.
As a result, traders can execute large trades quickly and efficiently, without facing major price slippage compared to smaller, less liquid exchanges.
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Real-Time Market Data and Advanced Charts
Kraken Pro provides real-time market data and detailed technical charts to help you make faster, smarter trading decisions.
Live order books and depth charts: See market supply and demand at a glance to spot trends.
Built-in indicators: Use moving averages, RSI, MACD, and dozens of tools to fine-tune your strategies.
Multiple chart views: Analyze different timeframes, overlays, and drawing tools directly from the platform.
By having instant access to real-time insights and technical tools, traders can spot patterns earlier and execute trades more confidently.
Things You Might Get Wrong on Kraken
Kraken is a powerful platform, but even experienced users can slip up. Here are a few common mistakes you’ll want to steer clear of.
Using the wrong order type: Accidentally placing a market order instead of a limit order can lead to buying at a much higher price than expected.
Ignoring trading fees: Fees vary between Kraken and Kraken Pro. Failing to switch can mean paying more than you need to for each trade.
Skipping two-factor authentication: Not enabling 2FA leaves your account vulnerable, especially in crypto where security is crucial.
Sending crypto to the wrong network: Transferring assets using the wrong blockchain (like sending ETH to a BTC address) can result in permanent loss.
Not researching before staking: Each asset has different lock-up periods and risks—staking blindly can restrict access to your funds when you need them.
To get the most out of Kraken, take a few minutes to learn the interface, double-check addresses, and always confirm settings before clicking “Submit.”
FAQ
Yes, Kraken has both a standard app and a Kraken Pro app for mobile. Kraken Pro is more advanced and offers lower fees.
Kraken is available in many countries, though certain features (like futures or margin) may be restricted based on local regulations.
Yes, while not among the best crypto apps for beginners, Kraken’s Simple Buy interface is beginner-friendly. When you're ready for more advanced tools, you can later upgrade to Kraken Pro.
Once you buy a supported asset, go to the “Earn” section to start staking. Rewards will appear in your account automatically.
Yes, Kraken Pro lets you set custom price alerts so you’re notified when a coin reaches a specific level.
No, the standard Kraken interface has higher fees than Kraken Pro. Frequent traders should consider switching to reduce costs.
Unfortunately, crypto transactions are irreversible. Kraken cannot recover funds sent to an incorrect or unsupported address.
Yes, Kraken provides downloadable transaction histories and tax documents to help you report gains or losses during tax season.
Yes, Kraken Pro users can use APIs to automate trades or connect with third-party bots or platforms like TradingView.
