Updated October 17, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Binance vs Kraken
Binance
Kraken
Higher score in this comparison
Where Binance and Kraken differ
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 2% | 0%Lower |
| Card type | Prepaid | Debit |
| Cashback rate | 1.5% to 3%Higher | 0.5% to 2% |
| Custody | Custodial | Self custody |
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 600 |
Same on both: Card network (Mastercard).
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: 9.4 vs 8.5.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Kraken: 0% vs 2%.
- Cashback rate is higher at Binance: 1.5% to 3% vs 0.5% to 2%.
- Features: only Binance offers Staking.
- Features: only Kraken offers Multi currency, Crypto, Virtual card.
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.
Kraken
Kraken suits frequent crypto users who keep trading balances on exchange and want those balances spendable through a card without added card upkeep. It pairs a debit card on Mastercard with a monthly fee of €0 and conversion fees of 0%, which keeps routine spend predictable for cardholders.
Score breakdown
| Area | Binance | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.3Monthly charge of €0 with conversion fees of 0% keeps routine card costs contained. |
| Offer | Not confirmed | 9.0Card access to 728 with staking on ATOM, SCRT and KSM widens use beyond payments. |
| Trust | 8.5 | 9.7HigherSupervision linked to Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network supports confidence in handling. |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Binance | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto exchanges | 26 of 297 | 9 of 297 |
| Crypto futures exchanges | 16 of 78 | 6 of 78 |
| Crypto debit cards | 23 of 145 | 9 of 145 |
Ranges side by side
| Fact | Binance | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cashback rate | 1.5% to 3% | 0.5% to 2% |
Licences and countries
| Country | Binance | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Not confirmed | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Binance | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Staking | Multi currency, Crypto, Virtual card, Travel |
| Legal entity | Binance Holdings Ltd. | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2017 | Not confirmed |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | Binance | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.1% | 0.05% to 0.8%Lower |
| Coins listed | 490 | 728Higher |
| Regulators | Autorite 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 Finance | Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) |
| Fiat deposit methods | Not confirmed | Card, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple pay |
| Maker fee | 0.1% | 0% to 0.4%Lower |
| Proof of reserves | Yes | Yes |
| Derivatives | Yes | Yes |
| Exchange type | Cex | Cex |
Crypto wallets
| Fact | Binance | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Not confirmed | Mobile |
| Price | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Coins supported | Not confirmed | 728 |
| Backup options | Not confirmed | Seed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Binance | Kraken | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | €0at the median | €0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 2%highest quarter | 0%below the median | 0.25% |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | €0below the median | €200 |
| Cashback rate | 1.5% to 3%above the median | 0.5% to 2%at the median | 2 |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 600highest quarter | 30 |
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
- Monthly fee of €0 keeps ongoing card costs low for regular spenders
- Conversion fees of 0% favour cross border card use versus Bit2Me at 0.95%
- Cashback of 0.5% to 2% adds value on eligible card spending
Cons
- Free ATM allowance of €0 restricts cash withdrawals for frequent ATM users
- Support runs on chat and help centre only, which limits choice for people who prefer phone help
- Cashback of 0.5% to 2% varies by activity, so returns depend on card use
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
- Exchange holders who want trading balances spendable by card rather than moved off venue
- Card payers who value low upkeep and who accept eToro instead where ATM needs dominate
Who should look elsewhere
- Cash heavy users who may prefer eToro for its free ATM range of €2,500 to €12,000 over €0
- Phone support seekers who may prefer bunq if assisted channels matter more than chat and help centre
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 the Kraken card cost to keep and use?+
The card carries a monthly fee of €0 and conversion fees of 0%. Cashback of 0.5% to 2% applies to eligible spend. Exchange trading uses maker fees of 0% to 0.4% and taker fees of 0.05% to 0.8%, so card costs stay distinct from trading costs.
Who regulates Kraken for this product?+
Kraken lists oversight connected to Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and holds registrations including MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458. The legal entity named is Payward Europe Solutions Limited. These permissions relate to crypto and payment services and vary by product and domicile.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Binance vs COCA Card
- Kraken vs Nexo
- Kraken vs Binance Australia
- Binance vs Bitfinex
- Binance vs Bitstamp
- Binance vs HTX
- Binance vs ChangeNOW
- Kraken vs Crypto.com
- Kraken vs Gate.io
- Kraken vs ActivTrades
- Kraken vs eToro
- Kraken vs eToro
- Kraken vs Gemini
- Binance vs Bitpanda
- Kraken vs Trezor
- Kraken vs Skrill
- Kraken vs Independent Reserve
- Binance vs kraken
- Binance vs Wirex
- Kraken vs Binance P2P
- Kraken vs Wirex Card
- Kraken vs Bitget (Trading Bots)
- Kraken vs CoinJar