Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
ChangeNOW vs Kraken
Kraken
ChangeNOW
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | ChangeNOWReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | KrakenReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0%Lower | 0.05% to 0.8% |
| Coins listed | 1,000Higher | 728 |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, Apple pay | Card, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple payCovers more |
| Maker fee | 0% | 0% to 0.4% |
| Derivatives | No | YesHas it |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) |
| Proof of reserves | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | 0 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Exchange type (Cex).
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Key differences
- Taker fee is lower at ChangeNOW: 0% vs 0.05% to 0.8%.
- Coins listed is higher at ChangeNOW: 1,000 vs 728.
- Fiat deposit methods: only Kraken offers Bank, SEPA, ACH.
- Derivatives: only Kraken.
- Features: only ChangeNOW offers Custodial, Self custody, Staking.
- Features: only Kraken offers Multi currency, Crypto, Virtual card.
Our verdict on each
ChangeNOW
ChangeNOW suits UK buyers who want a wide catalogue and fee-free trading: 1,000 coins are listed, and the account set spans custodial, self-custody and staking. The company behind it is CHN Group LLC in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, so weigh what you leave on the platform before you fund it.
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 | ChangeNOW | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.8HigherNothing is charged to trade, with a taker fee of 0% and a withdrawal fee of 0, against an exchange median taker fee of 0.2%. | 9.3Monthly charge of €0 with conversion fees of 0% keeps routine card costs contained. |
| Offer | 9.3HigherA catalogue of 1,000 coins, with custodial and self-custody accounts plus staking, covers both long-tail buyers and holders who want a balance working. | 9.0Card access to 728 with staking on ATOM, SCRT and KSM widens use beyond payments. |
| Trust | 9.1 | 9.7HigherSupervision linked to Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network supports confidence in handling. |
Licences and countries
| Country | ChangeNOW | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Not confirmed | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020 |
Pick ChangeNOW if, pick Kraken if
Pick ChangeNOW if cost, offer, taker fee, and coins listed matter most.
Pick Kraken if trust, fiat deposit methods, and derivatives matter most.
The bill, worked out
Buy 1,000 of crypto and sell it again
ChangeNOW
0
0% of 2,000
Kraken
1 to 16
0.05% to 0.8% of 2,000
ChangeNOW comes out 1 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 28, 2026.
What each covers
| Fiat deposit methods | ChangeNOW | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Card | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | Yes |
| SEPA | No | Yes |
| ACH | No | Yes |
| Apple pay | Yes | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | ChangeNOW | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto exchanges | 38 of 297 | 9 of 297 |
| Where to buy crypto | 27 of 177 | 5 of 177 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ChangeNOW | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Custodial, Self custody, Staking | Multi currency, Crypto, Virtual card, Travel |
| Legal entity | CHN Group LLC | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2017 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, Community | Not confirmed |
Crypto wallets
| Fact | ChangeNOW | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Not confirmed | Mobile |
| Price | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Custody | Not confirmed | Self custody |
| Coins supported | Not confirmed | 728 |
| Backup options | Not confirmed | Seed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ChangeNOW | Kraken | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0%lowest quarter | 0.05% to 0.8%below the median | 0.15% |
| Coins listed | 1,000highest quarter | 728highest quarter | 76 |
| Maker fee | 0%below the median | 0% to 0.4%below the median | 0.1% |
Median across 219 listed providers.
Pros and cons
ChangeNOW
Pros
- A catalogue of 1,000 coins sits well past Bitpanda at from 650 and ActivTrades at 9.
- Fiat deposits run through card and apple pay, so a UK reader can fund a buy from a card or a mobile wallet.
- Support covers email, chat and help centre, putting a help centre and live chat in front of email and the community.
Cons
- Derivatives are listed as no, so there is no leveraged product here for anyone sizing positions beyond their cash.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, and a phone line is not part of that list for urgent account or withdrawal problems.
- The operator is CHN Group LLC in VC rather than a UK company, which matters for anyone leaving a balance on the platform.
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
ChangeNOW
Who it suits
- UK buyers who want the longest catalogue and a taker fee of 0%.
- Readers who want to choose their holding setup, since custodial, self custody and staking covers custodial and self-custody accounts.
- Holders who want staking alongside trading on the same venue.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not bunq, which charges a taker fee of 0.25% to 1.99%, so ChangeNOW wins for anyone who trades often and watches the order book cost.
- Not Bitpanda, whose from 650 coins cover a smaller catalogue than the 1,000 listed here.
- Not ActivTrades, where the coin list is 9 and readers after long-tail tokens will find too little choice.
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
Current offers
ChangeNOW
Current offer
Bonus
ChangeNOW Pro cashback on exchange transactions: 0.1% to 0.2% of exchange turnover
Free VIP level gives 0.1% cashback with a 1000 NOW monthly cap, Emerald 15 USD/month and Brilliant 100 USD/month plans, Brilliant gives 0.2% with a 50000 NOW cap; paid plans billed in NOW tokens
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
ChangeNOW
What does it cost to trade on ChangeNOW?+
Nothing at the order book. The taker fee is 0% and the maker fee is 0%, so both sides of the book are free on spot orders. Withdrawals are listed at 0. Anything your card issuer or the chain you send to charges sits outside those numbers.
Who runs ChangeNOW?+
The legal entity is CHN Group LLC, registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the company has been running since 2017. Being an overseas entity is worth factoring in for a UK reader who wants to know exactly which company stands behind the balance.
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.
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Kraken
ChangeNOW