Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Gemini vs kraken
Gemini
kraken
Higher score in this comparison
Gemini vs kraken: the differences
| Compare | GeminiReviewVisitVisit | krakenReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Coins listed | 76 | 728Higher |
| Regulators | NMLS (US state money transmitter licensing), Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) | Central 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 methods | Card, Bank, ACH | Card, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple payCovers more |
| Withdrawal fee | Crypto withdrawal fees are dynamic and correspond to current network/gas fees; USD wire transfer out $252; Custody to Exchange crypto withdrawal $125 | Variable per asset and method; static or dynamic funding fees |
Same on both: Taker fee (0.8%), Maker fee (0.4%), Proof of reserves (Yes), Derivatives (Yes), Exchange type (Cex).
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Key differences
- kraken scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Gemini offers NMLS (US state money transmitter licensing), Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
- Regulators: only kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, CySEC, FCA.
- Founded is lower at kraken: 2011 vs 2014.
- kraken is licensed in 7 more countries.
- Coins listed is higher at kraken: 728 vs 76.
- Fiat deposit methods: only kraken offers SEPA, Apple pay.
- Support channels: only kraken offers Chat, Phone.
Our verdict on each
Gemini
Gemini carries US and Malta licences and a regulated central exchange setup with card, bank and ACH funding. It suits buyers who want derivatives alongside spot and who can settle for a coin list of 76 rather than the widest range on HodlCue.
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.
Score breakdown
| Area | Gemini | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.3Taker fees of 0.8% and maker fees of 0.4% on ActiveTrader run above the 0.2% median for tracked exchanges. | 8.3Fees are high: a taker fee of 0.8% and a maker fee of 0.4% sit well above the site median of 0.2%. |
| Offer | 9.4The platform combines custodial, self custody and staking accounts with derivatives trading on the same venue. | 9.8HigherProof of reserves and derivatives are both offered, coins listed reach 728, and support runs on email, chat and phone. |
| Trust | 9.3 | 9.7Higher |
The bill, worked out
Buy 1,000 of crypto and sell it again
Gemini
16
0.8% of 2,000
kraken
16
0.8% of 2,000
Both come to the same total.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Gemini | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto exchanges | 2 of 297 | 14 of 297 |
| Crypto futures exchanges | 4 of 78 | 10 of 78 |
| Where to buy crypto | 3 of 177 | 8 of 177 |
Feature by feature
| Fiat deposit methods | Gemini | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Card | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | Yes |
| SEPA | No | Yes |
| ACH | Yes | Yes |
| Apple pay | No | Yes |
Where these facts come from
Gemini
- gemini.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coingecko.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- defillama.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
kraken
- kraken.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coingecko.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- support.kraken.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Gemini | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Custodial, Self custody, Staking | Custodial, Self custody, Staking |
| Legal entity | Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd | Payward Europe Solutions Limited |
| Headquarters | Malta | Ireland |
| Founded | 2014 | 2011Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Debit cards
| Fact | Gemini | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Card type | Not confirmed | Debit |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 2% |
| Card network | Not confirmed | Mastercard |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 600 |
| Custody | Not confirmed | Custodial |
Crypto earn
| Fact | Gemini | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | Not confirmed | 0.1% to 21% |
| Supported assets | Not confirmed | ATOM, 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 terms | Not confirmed | None for flexible (unstake any time); bonded has a lock-in period (e.g. 21D for ATOM) |
Crypto wallets
| Fact | Gemini | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Not confirmed | Mobile |
| Price | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Backup options | Not confirmed | Seed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Gemini | kraken | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.8%highest quarter | 0.8%highest quarter | 0.15% |
| Coins listed | 76at the median | 728highest quarter | 76 |
| Maker fee | 0.4%highest quarter | 0.4%highest quarter | 0.1% |
Median across 219 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Gemini
Pros
- Regulated in the US and Malta, with NMLS (2403509) and MFSA (MiCA CASP 2138002QAMX8PPKSO715) references that can be checked.
- Fiat deposits accept card, bank and ach, covering the card, bank and ACH routes most buyers use.
- Proof of reserves is published, a practice shared by 79.4% of the exchanges tracked here.
Cons
- Taker fees of 0.8% on ActiveTrader sit above the 0.2% median for tracked exchanges, and Gemini ranks 97 of 118 on that measure.
- A coin list of 76 trails the 344.5 upper quartile across tracked exchanges, so deep long-tail trading stays limited.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, and phone support is offered on just 44.7% of the brands tracked here.
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
Gemini
Who it suits
- US and Malta residents who want a licensed custodian rather than a self-custody-only setup.
- Traders who want staking and derivatives next to spot trading on the same platform.
- Buyers who fund by card, bank or ACH and read a proof of reserves disclosure.
Who should look elsewhere
- Bitpanda, which lists from 650 coins and suits buyers chasing a longer coin list.
- bunq, which charges 0.25% to 1.99% as a taker fee and suits cost-first traders.
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.
Country by country
| Country | Gemini | kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Yes | No |
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Bahamas | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Bermuda | Yes | No |
| Bhutan | Yes | No |
| Brazil | Yes | No |
8 of 65 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Gemini
What does Gemini charge to trade?+
ActiveTrader pricing puts the taker fee at 0.8% and the maker fee at 0.4%. The taker rate sits above the 0.2% median for the exchanges tracked here, and Gemini ranks 97 of 118 on taker fee. Regular traders feel that more than occasional buyers.
Is Gemini regulated, and can the licences be checked?+
Yes. Gemini lists NMLS (US state money transmitter licensing) and Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) as its regulators. The US money transmitter licence is 2403509 and the Malta Financial Services Authority licence is MiCA CASP 2138002QAMX8PPKSO715, held by Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd. The listed headquarters country is MT.
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.
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