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Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team

Gemini vs Kraken

Gemini scores 9.0 and Kraken 9.4 out of 10. Compare their differences and shared features below.
Gemini

Gemini

9.0/10
Visit
Kraken

Kraken

Higher score in this comparison

9.4/10
Visit

Where Gemini and Kraken differ

Gemini vs Kraken
CompareGeminiGeminiReviewVisitVisitKrakenKrakenReviewVisitVisit
Taker fee0.8%0.05% to 0.8%Lower
Coins listed76728Higher
RegulatorsNMLS (US state money transmitter licensing), Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)
Fiat deposit methodsCard, Bank, ACHCard, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple payCovers more
Maker fee0.4%0% to 0.4%Lower
Withdrawal feeCrypto withdrawal fees are dynamic and correspond to current network/gas fees; USD wire transfer out $252; Custody to Exchange crypto withdrawal $125Not confirmed

Same on both: Proof of reserves (Yes), Derivatives (Yes), Exchange type (Cex).

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Key differences

  • Kraken scores higher overall: 9.4 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, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
  • Gemini is licensed in 1 more country.
  • Taker fee is lower at Kraken: 0.05% to 0.8% vs 0.8%.
  • Maker fee is lower at Kraken: 0% to 0.4% vs 0.4%.
  • Coins listed is higher at Kraken: 728 vs 76.
  • Fiat deposit methods: only Kraken offers SEPA, Apple pay.
  • Features: only Gemini offers Custodial, Self custody, Staking.
  • Features: only Kraken offers Multi currency, Crypto, Virtual card.

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.

Read the full Gemini review

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.

Read the full Kraken review

Score breakdown

Gemini vs Kraken
AreaGeminiKraken
Cost8.3Taker fees of 0.8% and maker fees of 0.4% on ActiveTrader run above the 0.2% median for tracked exchanges.9.3HigherMonthly charge of €0 with conversion fees of 0% keeps routine card costs contained.
Offer9.4HigherThe platform combines custodial, self custody and staking accounts with derivatives trading on the same venue.9.0Card access to 728 with staking on ATOM, SCRT and KSM widens use beyond payments.
Trust9.39.7HigherSupervision linked to Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network supports confidence in handling.

Cost in a real example

Buy 1,000 of crypto and sell it again

Gemini

16

0.8% of 2,000

Kraken

1 to 16

0.05% to 0.8% of 2,000

Kraken comes out 15 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.

Positions in our rankings

Gemini vs Kraken
RankingGeminiKraken
Crypto exchanges2 of 2979 of 297
Crypto futures exchanges4 of 786 of 78
Where to buy crypto3 of 1775 of 177

Licences and countries

Gemini vs Kraken
CountryGeminiKraken
IrelandNot confirmed
Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458
IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020
Malta
Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) MiCA CASP 2138002QAMX8PPKSO715
Not confirmed
United StatesNot confirmed

What we checked

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: 6 facts, checked September 28, 2026
  • support.kraken.com: 2 facts, checked September 28, 2026
  • coingecko.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026

Every fact side by side

Gemini vs Kraken
FactGeminiKraken
FeaturesCustodial, Self custody, StakingMulti currency, Crypto, Virtual card, Travel
Legal entityGemini Intergalactic EU LtdNot confirmed
HeadquartersMaltaNot confirmed
Founded2014Not confirmed
Support channelsEmail, Help centre, CommunityNot confirmed

Crypto wallets

Gemini vs Kraken
FactGeminiKraken
Wallet typeNot confirmedMobile
PriceNot confirmed$0
CustodyNot confirmedSelf custody
Coins supportedNot confirmed728
Backup optionsNot confirmedSeed

Where each stands against the rest

Gemini vs Kraken
FactGeminiKrakenMedian
Taker fee0.8%highest quarter0.05% to 0.8%below the median0.15%
Coins listed76at the median728highest quarter76
Maker fee0.4%highest quarter0% to 0.4%below the median0.1%

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

  • 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

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

  • 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

Country by country

Gemini vs Kraken
CountryGeminiKraken
ArgentinaYesNo
AustraliaYesNo
AustriaYesNo
BahamasYesNo
BelgiumYesNo
BermudaYesNo
BhutanYesNo
BrazilYesNo

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 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

Gemini

Visit

Kraken

Visit