Updated October 17, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
kraken vs MEXC
kraken
Higher score in this comparison
MEXC
Where kraken and MEXC differ
| Compare | krakenReviewVisitVisit | MEXCReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.8% | 0.2%Lower |
| Coins listed | 728 | 1,500Higher |
| Regulators | 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) | Comoros (international crypto licence) |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple payCovers more | Card, Bank |
| Maker fee | 0.4% | Not confirmed |
| Withdrawal fee | Variable per asset and method; static or dynamic funding fees | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Proof of reserves (Yes), Derivatives (Yes), Exchange type (Cex).
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Key differences
- kraken scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.6.
- Regulators: only kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, CySEC, FCA.
- Regulators: only MEXC offers Comoros (international crypto licence).
- Founded is lower at kraken: 2011 vs 2018.
- Taker fee is lower at MEXC: 0.2% vs 0.8%.
- Coins listed is higher at MEXC: 1,500 vs 728.
- Fiat deposit methods: only kraken offers SEPA, ACH, Apple pay.
- Support channels: only kraken offers Chat, Phone, Help centre.
- Features: only kraken offers Self custody, Staking.
Our verdict on each
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.
MEXC
MEXC is a centralised crypto exchange known for listing more than 3,000 altcoins across spot and futures markets. It suits traders who want wide token choice with published reserve checks and beginner friendly app based access on iOS and Android.
Score breakdown
| Area | kraken | MEXC |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 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%. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.8HigherProof of reserves and derivatives are both offered, coins listed reach 728, and support runs on email, chat and phone. | 8.9 |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 8.3 |
Side by side, item by item
| Fiat deposit methods | kraken | MEXC |
|---|---|---|
| Card | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | Yes |
| SEPA | Yes | No |
| ACH | Yes | No |
| Apple pay | Yes | No |
Cost in a real example
Buy 1,000 of crypto and sell it again
kraken
16
0.8% of 2,000
MEXC
4
0.2% of 2,000
MEXC comes out 12 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
How they place
| Ranking | kraken | MEXC |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto exchanges | 14 of 297 | 25 of 297 |
| Crypto futures exchanges | 10 of 78 | 15 of 78 |
| Where to buy crypto | 8 of 177 | 16 of 177 |
| Crypto debit cards | 10 of 145 | 22 of 145 |
Where these facts come from
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
MEXC
- coingecko.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- mexc.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- defillama.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | kraken | MEXC |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Custodial, Self custody, StakingCovers more | Custodial |
| Legal entity | Payward Europe Solutions Limited | MEXC Trading Platform |
| Headquarters | Ireland | Seychelles |
| Founded | 2011Lower | 2018 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Community |
Debit cards
| Fact | kraken | MEXC |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | €0 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Card type | Debit | Not confirmed |
| Cashback rate | 2% | Not confirmed |
| Card network | Mastercard | Not confirmed |
| Currencies | 600 | Not confirmed |
| Custody | Custodial | Not confirmed |
Crypto earn
| Fact | kraken | MEXC |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | 0.1% to 21% | Not confirmed |
| Supported assets | 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 | Not confirmed |
| Lock-up terms | None for flexible (unstake any time); bonded has a lock-in period (e.g. 21D for ATOM) | Not confirmed |
Crypto wallets
| Fact | kraken | MEXC |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Mobile | Not confirmed |
| Price | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Backup options | Seed | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | kraken | MEXC | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.8%highest quarter | 0.2%above the median | 0.15% |
| Coins listed | 728highest quarter | 1,500highest quarter | 76 |
| Maker fee | 0.4%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.1% |
Median across 219 listed providers.
Pros and cons
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.
MEXC
Pros
- Lists more than 3,000 altcoins alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum
- Covers 1,486 spot markets and 1,199 futures markets
- Publishes a wallet address with real time reserve verification
Cons
- Custodial model means the platform holds assets on your behalf
- Service centres on app based access for iOS and Android
Who each suits
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.
MEXC
Who it suits
- Traders seeking broad altcoin choice
- Beginners wanting defined spot and futures markets
Who should look elsewhere
- Holders wanting self custody wallets
Questions about each
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.
MEXC
What does MEXC offer?+
MEXC is a centralised exchange for buying, trading and earning crypto. It covers spot markets, futures markets and earn products alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum. The range focuses on crypto assets in one place.
What security measures does MEXC describe?+
MEXC describes three major measures to safeguard asset security. It publishes a wallet address and states that reserves are backed beyond a one to one level. Verification runs in real time and stays accessible at all times.