How to Buy Crypto on Kraken: Guide, Fees and MiCA Licence
A step-by-step Kraken guide: sign-up, verification, deposit, buying with Instant Buy and Kraken Pro, current fees from the official schedule, the MiCA licence and account security.
In short: Kraken holds a MiCA licence from the Central Bank of Ireland (announced 25 June 2025). You can buy two ways: Instant Buy in the app (1% plus a spread per the fee schedule) or Kraken Pro with lower fees, starting at 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker at the lowest volume and falling as volume grows. Always check the official fee schedule.
Kraken at a glance
Kraken is a crypto exchange founded in 2011. In Europe it operates under a MiCA authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland, which Kraken announced on 25 June 2025. According to available sources it can serve clients across the EEA. See also our Kraken review.
Step 1: sign up and verify
- Open the official Kraken site by typing the address yourself, not from an ad or message, and create an account with your email and a password.
- Turn on two-factor authentication, preferably with an authenticator app rather than SMS.
- Complete identity verification (KYC). Have your ID and phone ready. Limits depend on the account level.
Step 2: deposit
A bank transfer in euros is usually the cheapest route. Fees for deposits and withdrawals vary by method and change, so find them in the official schedule under Deposit & Withdrawal. Card deposits are fast but often cost more.
Step 3: buy
Instant Buy
The simplest way is to buy inside the app. According to the fee schedule, instant and recurring buys carry a 1% fee plus a spread, and custom orders 1.5% plus a spread. These trades do not count towards your 30-day volume for discounts.
Kraken Pro
Kraken Pro is an order-book interface. Fees from the official schedule (spot crypto, checked 29 October 2026):
| 30-day spot volume | Maker | Taker |
|---|---|---|
| from $0 | 0.40% | 0.80% |
| from $2,500 | 0.30% | 0.60% |
| from $10,000 | 0.22% | 0.38% |
Your tier is set by the best of spot volume, futures volume or assets on the platform. An example from Kraken's help page: BTC/USD at $125,000 of 30-day volume is 0.12% maker and 0.25% taker. Pairs with a stablecoin as the base currency (such as USDT/USD) have a separate schedule starting at 0.20%.
Maker and taker: a maker order is a limit order that waits in the order book. A taker order fills immediately at the available price. Limit orders are cheaper but may not fill.
Step 4: withdrawals and storage
For long-term holding consider a hardware wallet. Before withdrawing, check the network and address and send a small test amount first.
Staking
Kraken offers staking for selected coins. Availability and terms for the EU change; see Earn and the On-chain Staking section of the fee schedule. For what staking is and its risks, read What is crypto staking.
Who Kraken suits
- Suited: people who want a regulated exchange with a MiCA licence and lower fees on Kraken Pro.
- Less suited: complete beginners who would only use Instant Buy at 1% plus a spread, which costs more than Kraken Pro.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kraken have a MiCA licence?
Yes: Kraken announced a MiCA authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland on 25 June 2025. Check the ESMA register for the entity that serves you.
How much does Kraken cost?
On Kraken Pro the spot fee starts at 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker and falls with volume. Instant Buy is 1% plus a spread. These are from the official schedule in October 2026 and can change.
Is Kraken safe?
It is a regulated exchange, but no exchange is risk-free. Use 2FA and a unique password and keep long-term holdings in your own wallet. Learn to spot crypto scams.
Is Kraken better than Binance?
Binance has restricted EU services since July 2026 and has no MiCA licence. See Binance and the EU.
Not investment advice. Trading crypto is risky and you can lose your funds.
