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Updated October 17, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team

Binance vs kraken

Binance scores 8.5 and kraken 9.2 out of 10. Compare their differences and shared features below.
Binance

Binance

8.5/10
Visit
kraken

kraken

Higher score in this comparison

9.2/10
Visit

Where Binance and kraken differ

Binance vs kraken
CompareBinanceBinanceReviewVisitVisitkrakenkrakenReviewVisitVisit
Currency conversion fee2%0%Lower
Card typePrepaidDebit
Cashback rate1.5% to 3%Higher2%
Monthly feeNot confirmed€0
CurrenciesNot confirmed600

Same on both: Card network (Mastercard), Custody (Custodial).

We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.

Key differences

  • kraken scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.5.
  • Founded is lower at kraken: 2011 vs 2017.
  • Currency conversion fee is lower at kraken: 0% vs 2%.
  • Cashback rate is higher at Binance: 1.5% to 3% vs 2%.
  • Features: only kraken offers Custodial, Self custody.

Our verdict on each

Binance

Binance operates as a centralized exchange with derivatives activity and published proof of reserves for custody clarity. Traders who prefer centralized custody with derivatives access in one venue may find its combined structure aligns with their approach to managing activity.

Read the full Binance review

kraken

Kraken suits buyers who put safety of the money and a wide coin list ahead of trading cost. It publishes proof of reserves, offers derivatives, and lists 728 coins, but the taker fee of 0.8% sits well above the site median of 0.2%, so regular traders pay more per trade.

Read the full kraken review

Score breakdown

Binance vs kraken
AreaBinancekraken
CostNot confirmed8.3Fees are high: a taker fee of 0.8% and a maker fee of 0.4% sit well above the site median of 0.2%.
OfferNot confirmed9.8Proof of reserves and derivatives are both offered, coins listed reach 728, and support runs on email, chat and phone.
Trust8.59.7Higher

How they place

Binance vs kraken
RankingBinancekraken
Crypto exchanges26 of 29714 of 297
Crypto futures exchanges16 of 7810 of 78
Crypto staking and earn14 of 1798 of 179
Crypto debit cards23 of 14510 of 145

Licences and countries

Binance vs kraken
CountryBinancekraken
ArgentinaNot confirmed
AustraliaNot confirmed
AUSTRAC ACN 163 237 634
AustriaNot confirmed
Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) MiCA CASP 5299005V5GBSN2A4C303
BermudaNot confirmed
CanadaNot confirmed
FINTRAC M19343731
CyprusNot confirmed
CySEC 342/17
IrelandNot confirmed
Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458
United KingdomNot confirmed
FCA 757895

Where these facts come from

Binance

  • spendnode.io: 4 facts, checked October 17, 2026
  • coingecko.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
  • cryptocardhub.com: 1 fact, checked October 17, 2026
  • en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026

kraken

  • krak.app: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
  • kraken.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
  • esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
  • coingecko.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026

Every fact side by side

Binance vs kraken
FactBinancekraken
FeaturesStakingCustodial, Self custody, StakingCovers more
Legal entityBinance Holdings Ltd.Payward Europe Solutions Limited
HeadquartersNot confirmedIreland
Founded20172011Lower
Support channelsNot confirmedEmail, Chat, Phone, Help centre, Community

Crypto exchanges

Binance vs kraken
FactBinancekraken
Taker fee0.1%Lower0.8%
Coins listed490728Higher
RegulatorsAutorite des marches financiers (AMF), Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa (CONSOB), Banco de Espana, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Thailand Ministry of FinanceCentral 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)
Fiat deposit methodsNot confirmedCard, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple pay
Maker fee0.1%Lower0.4%
Proof of reservesYesYes
Withdrawal feeNot confirmedVariable per asset and method; static or dynamic funding fees
DerivativesYesYes
Exchange typeCexCex

Crypto earn

Binance vs kraken
FactBinancekraken
YieldNot confirmed0.1% to 21%
Supported assetsNot confirmedATOM, SCRT, KSM, DYM, FLOW, MON, KAVA, XTZ, INJ, GRT, AVAX, TIA, NEAR, SOL, SEI, TRX, POL, DOT, ETH, HYPE, SUI, BNB, BTC, ADA, MINA, TAO, FLOWH, AKT, ALGO, APT, CELO, CSPR, CTC, CTSI, DASH, DCR
Lock-up termsNot confirmedNone for flexible (unstake any time); bonded has a lock-in period (e.g. 21D for ATOM)

Crypto wallets

Binance vs kraken
FactBinancekraken
Wallet typeNot confirmedMobile
PriceNot confirmed$0
Backup optionsNot confirmedSeed

Where each stands against the rest

Binance vs kraken
FactBinancekrakenMedian
Monthly feeNot confirmed€0at the median€0
Currency conversion fee2%highest quarter0%below the median0.25%
Cashback rate1.5% to 3%above the median2%at the median2
CurrenciesNot confirmed600highest quarter30

Median across 58 listed providers.

Pros and cons

Binance

Pros

  • Centralized exchange venue with derivatives activity under one roof
  • Published proof of reserves gives clarity around held balances

kraken

Pros

  • Proof of reserves is published and derivatives are offered on the same platform.
  • Coins listed reach 728, above the site median of 62.
  • Fiat deposits run through card, bank and sepa, covering card, bank transfer, SEPA and ACH.

Cons

  • Fees are heavy for frequent trading: 0.8% to take and 0.4% to make, against a site median of 0.2%.
  • Withdrawal fees vary by asset and method, with static or dynamic funding fees on top of the trade cost.
  • Staked balances sit in custodial custody, and bonded staking carries a lock-in period.

Who each suits

Binance

Who it suits

  • Traders seeking centralized custody and derivatives access
  • Holders who value published proof of reserves

kraken

Who it suits

  • Readers who want a regulated exchange with proof of reserves and derivatives in the same account.
  • Anyone funding an account by card, bank transfer, SEPA or ACH.
  • Card users, since the card carries a €0 monthly fee and cashback of 2%.

Who should look elsewhere

  • Not ActivTrades if trading cost is the only thing that matters, since its taker fee is 0%.
  • Not bunq, whose taker fee runs 0.25% to 1.99% against the fee here.
  • Not Bitpanda for a longer coin list, as Bitpanda lists from 650 coins.

Questions about each

Binance

What does Binance cover as an exchange?+

Binance operates as a centralized exchange with derivatives activity under the same structure. Custody and order matching rest with the venue rather than self managed wallets. Published proof of reserves provides an extra custody signal for review.

How do derivatives fit within this service?+

Derivatives activity sits alongside spot style trading within the centralized venue. Positions and balances remain under venue custody throughout the process. Those interested should review structure and custody before deciding on use.

kraken

What does Kraken charge to trade?+

Trading costs 0.8% for taker orders and 0.4% for maker orders. The taker fee sits above the site median of 0.2%, so cost-minded traders may prefer a cheaper venue. Withdrawal fees are separate and vary by asset and method, charged as static or dynamic funding fees.

Which regulators and licences cover Kraken?+

Kraken is listed with Central Bank of Ireland, CySEC and FCA. The European entity behind it is Payward Europe Solutions Limited, based in Ireland, with its own Central Bank of Ireland registration. Proof of reserves is also published, so stated holdings can be compared with the proof.

Other options to compare

Binance

Visit

kraken

Visit