When it comes to cryptocurrency trading, fees are an unavoidable reality—every platform charges them in one form or another. Understanding these costs is essential for maximizing returns and minimizing unnecessary expenses. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down Kraken fees in detail, covering everything from trading and withdrawal fees to deposit costs and how they compare with other leading exchanges like Coinbase and Binance.
Kraken, launched in 2011, has built a strong reputation as one of the most secure and compliant crypto exchanges globally. It serves users across the U.S. and beyond, offering advanced features such as spot, margin, and futures trading—especially through Kraken Pro, its high-performance trading platform. With no major security breaches reported as of 2025, Kraken remains a trusted choice for both beginners and experienced traders.
To make the most of your experience, you’ll need to complete KYC (Know Your Customer) verification before accessing most services. Once verified, you can explore Kraken’s tiered fee structure designed to reward active traders with lower rates based on volume.
Kraken Deposit and Instant Buy Fees
Kraken offers multiple ways to fund your account, and the associated fees depend on the asset type and deposit method.
Instant Buy Fees
Kraken’s Instant Buy feature allows users (with Express, Intermediate, or Pro verification) to purchase crypto instantly using a credit or debit card. This bypasses the need to first deposit fiat currency.
- Card purchases come with variable fees based on transaction size and network processing costs.
- Minimum purchase: $10 USD.
- Weekly spending limit: $5,000 USD (resets every 7 days).
These limits may vary slightly depending on your region and card issuer, but they help manage risk and fraud.
Fiat Deposits
Fiat deposits in USD, EUR, CAD, AUD, GBP, CHF, and JPY are supported. Most bank transfers are free, but certain methods incur fees:
- SWIFT deposits: $3 (USD), €3 (EUR), £3 (GBP), etc.
- Interac e-Transfer (CAD): 0.5% fee.
- Canada Post cash deposits (CAD): $1.25 + 0.25%.
- RTGS (AUD): $33 flat fee.
- Gibraltar CHAPS (GBP): £21.
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Processing times vary—from same-day ACH transfers to up to five business days for international wires.
Cryptocurrency Deposits
Most crypto deposits are free of charge, including popular assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and ERC-20 tokens.
However:
- Terra Classic (LUNC) and TerraUSD Classic (USTC) deposits incur a 0.5% tax burn.
- All assets have minimum deposit thresholds.
Kraken supports stackable deposits for select cryptocurrencies—including ETH, AVAX, ETC, and most ERC-20 tokens—allowing users to gradually meet minimum requirements over multiple transactions. If your asset isn’t stackable, ensure each deposit meets the threshold or it won’t be credited.
Kraken Withdrawal Fees
Withdrawing funds involves both minimum amounts and fixed fees that vary by currency and method.
Fiat Withdrawals
Fiat withdrawals are only available via bank transfer—not cards or third-party apps.
| Currency | Min. Withdrawal | Fee Range |
|---|---|---|
| USD | $1 – $150 | Free – $35 |
| EUR | €1 – €150 | Free – €35 |
| GBP | £1 – £150 | Free – £35 |
| CAD | $15 – $1,000 | Free – $35 (or 35%) |
| AUD | $5 – $150 | Free – $55 |
| JPY | ¥15,000 | ¥3,900 (~$35) |
Fees often reflect intermediary bank charges rather than platform profits.
Crypto Withdrawals
Crypto withdrawals also follow a fixed-fee model—not percentage-based.
Examples:
- Bitcoin (BTC): Min 0.0004 BTC | Fee: 0.0002 BTC
- Ethereum (ETH): Min 0.005 ETH | Fee: 0.0005 ETH
Fees are determined by blockchain network conditions and asset type. Availability may vary by jurisdiction.
💡 Note: Some first-time deposits trigger a 72-hour withdrawal hold for security purposes.
Kraken Trading Fees
Kraken uses a tiered fee system based on your 30-day trading volume, rewarding higher-volume traders with reduced rates. Fees differ between makers (adding liquidity) and takers (removing liquidity).
Spot Trading Fees (Kraken Pro)
| 30-Day Volume | Maker Fee | Taker Fee |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $10K | 0.25% | 0.40% |
| $10K – $50K | 0.22% | 0.37% |
| ... | ... | ... |
| $10M+ | 0.00% | 0.10% |
High-volume traders can reach zero maker fees.
Futures Trading Fees
Futures offer even lower fees:
- Maker: 0.02% → 0.00%
- Taker: 0.05% → 0.01%
Ideal for institutional and active traders seeking cost efficiency.
Margin Trading Fees
- Opening fee: Matches rollover fee
- Charged every 4 hours
Typically 0.02%, except:
- BTC: 0.1%
- USD: 0.025%
No volume discounts apply here.
Stablecoin, Pegged Token & FX Pair Fees
Specialized pairs like DAI/USDT or EUR/USD have separate tiers:
- Maker: Starts at 0.2%, drops to 0.00%
- Taker: Starts at 0.2%, drops to 0.001%
Volume thresholds are higher than standard spot trading.
🔄 Tip: Fee tiers reset every 30 days—consistent trading is key to maintaining lower rates.
Other Kraken Fees
While account creation and basic usage are free, additional services carry specific charges:
NFT Trading
- Transaction fee: 2%
Withdrawal fees:
- Ethereum: 0.01 ETH
- Solana: 0.02 SOL
- Polygon: 0.5 MATIC
- Deposits and listing are free.
- Creator royalties are set by artists, not Kraken.
Kraken Fee Credits (KFEE)
- 1,000 KFEE = $10 in fee discounts
- Automatically applied to eligible trades
Cannot be used for:
- Withdrawals
- Deposits
- Futures trading
- No expiration date; awarded irregularly by Kraken
Kraken vs Coinbase Fees
Let’s compare key differences:
| Feature | Kraken | Coinbase |
|---|---|---|
| Spot Maker Fee (Tier 1) | 0.25% | 0.4% |
| Spot Taker Fee (Tier 1) | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Volume Tier Threshold | Up to $50K | Up to $10K |
| Stablecoin Pair Fees | Tiered (down to 0%) | Makers: Free; Takers: 0.1–0.3% |
| Deposit Flexibility | More bank options | Limited to ACH (free) |
| Withdrawal Flexibility | Broader selection | Fewer methods |
| Subscription Option | None | Coinbase One ($30/month) |
👉 Compare real-time trading costs across platforms now.
Kraken offers better rates for makers early on, while Coinbase simplifies the user experience at a higher cost.
Kraken vs Binance Fees
Binance uses a steeper VIP system:
- Regular users pay 0.1% maker/taker fees.
- VIP tiers start at $1M monthly volume, making discounts harder to reach.
For traders below that threshold:
- Binance offers better base rates than Kraken’s top tier.
- But Kraken reaches competitive rates faster—for example, at $500K volume, Kraken charges makers 0.08%, outperforming Binance.
NFT fees:
- Kraken: 2% platform fee + fixed withdrawal
- Binance: 1% service fee + dynamic network fees
Both offer free crypto deposits.
Why Are There Fees?
Crypto exchange fees exist for several reasons:
- Operational Sustainability: Fees fund platform development, security, and customer support.
- Liquidity Incentives: Lower maker fees encourage order book depth.
- Blockchain Costs: Network fees go to validators/miners—not the exchange.
- Market Competition: Fee structures drive innovation and user benefits.
Even decentralized ideals require economic models—fees help maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Kraken deposits free?
Yes, most fiat and crypto deposits are free. Exceptions include SWIFT transfers and Interac e-Transfers, which carry small fixed or percentage-based fees.
Q: How can I reduce my Kraken trading fees?
Increase your 30-day trading volume to move up fee tiers. Using Kraken Pro for high-frequency trading helps maximize discounts.
Q: Does Kraken charge for NFT withdrawals?
Yes. Ethereum NFT withdrawals cost 0.01 ETH, Solana costs 0.02 SOL, and Polygon costs 0.5 MATIC.
Q: Can I use fee credits for all transactions?
No. KFEE can only be used for spot and margin trading fees—not for futures, deposits, or withdrawals.
Q: Is Kraken cheaper than Binance?
It depends on your volume. Binance offers lower starting fees (0.1%), but Kraken reaches deeper discounts at lower trade volumes.
Q: What affects crypto withdrawal fees?
Withdrawal fees are fixed per asset and influenced by blockchain congestion—not your account level.