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Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team

kraken vs Wirex

kraken scores 9.2 and Wirex 9.2 out of 10. Compare their differences and shared features below.
kraken

kraken

Higher score in this comparison

9.2/10
Visit
Wirex

Wirex

9.2/10
Visit

kraken vs Wirex: the differences

kraken vs Wirex
ComparekrakenkrakenReviewVisitVisitWirexWirexReviewVisitVisit
Taker fee0.8%Lower1.5% to 2.5%
Coins listed728Higher35
RegulatorsCentral 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)Covers moreFCA
Fiat deposit methodsCard, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple payCovers moreCard, Bank
Withdrawal feeVariable per asset and method; static or dynamic funding feesOnly gas fees
Maker fee0.4%Not confirmed
Proof of reservesYesNot confirmed
DerivativesYesNot confirmed

Same on both: Exchange type (Cex).

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

  • Regulators: only kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, CySEC, FINTRAC.
  • Founded is lower at kraken: 2011 vs 2014.
  • kraken is licensed in 8 more countries.
  • Taker fee is lower at kraken: 0.8% vs 1.5% to 2.5%.
  • Coins listed is higher at kraken: 728 vs 35.
  • Fiat deposit methods: only kraken offers SEPA, ACH, Apple pay.
  • Support channels: only kraken offers Email, Phone, Community.
  • Features: only kraken offers Self custody, Staking.
  • Features: only Wirex offers Crypto, Multi currency, Travel.

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.

Read the full kraken review

Wirex

Wirex suits people who want one balance for crypto and everyday spending, with a monthly fee of $0, a conversion fee of 0% and an FCA licence in the UK. Budget for trading fees of 1.5% to 2.5%, and know your holdings sit with Wirex rather than in your own wallet.

Read the full Wirex review

Score breakdown

kraken vs Wirex
AreakrakenWirex
Cost8.3Fees are high: a taker fee of 0.8% and a maker fee of 0.4% sit well above the site median of 0.2%.9.4HigherMonthly fee of $0 and a conversion fee of 0% keep everyday card running costs low, though trading fees run 1.5% to 2.5%.
Offer9.8HigherProof of reserves and derivatives are both offered, coins listed reach 728, and support runs on email, chat and phone.9.6Card covers 35 coins and 150 currencies, with a cashback rate of 8% and virtual cards in the feature set.
Trust9.7Higher8.7

The bill, worked out

Buy 1,000 of crypto and sell it again

kraken

16

0.8% of 2,000

Wirex

30 to 50

1.5% to 2.5% of 2,000

kraken comes out 14 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.

Availability and regulation

kraken vs Wirex
CountrykrakenWirex
United Kingdom
FCA 757895
FCA 902025
ArgentinaNot confirmed
Australia
AUSTRAC ACN 163 237 634
Not confirmed
Austria
Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) MiCA CASP 5299005V5GBSN2A4C303
Not confirmed
BermudaNot confirmed
Canada
FINTRAC M19343731
Not confirmed
Cyprus
CySEC 342/17
Not confirmed
Ireland
Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458
Not confirmed

How they place

kraken vs Wirex
RankingkrakenWirex
Crypto exchanges14 of 29715 of 297
Where to buy crypto8 of 17710 of 177
Crypto wallets7 of 1569 of 156
Crypto staking and earn8 of 17910 of 179
Crypto debit cards10 of 14512 of 145

Every fact side by side

kraken vs Wirex
FactkrakenWirex
FeaturesCustodial, Self custody, StakingCrypto, Custodial, Multi currency, Travel, Virtual card
Legal entityPayward Europe Solutions LimitedWirex Limited
HeadquartersIrelandUnited Kingdom
Founded2011Lower2014
Support channelsEmail, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers moreChat, Help centre

Debit cards

kraken vs Wirex
FactkrakenWirex
Monthly fee€0$0
Currency conversion fee0%0%
Free ATM withdrawalsNot confirmed$400
Card typeDebitDebit
Cashback rate2%8%Higher
Card networkMastercardVisa
Currencies600Higher150
CustodyCustodialCustodial

Crypto earn

kraken vs Wirex
FactkrakenWirex
Yield0.1% to 21%Not confirmed
Supported assetsATOM, 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, DCRNot confirmed
Lock-up termsNone for flexible (unstake any time); bonded has a lock-in period (e.g. 21D for ATOM)Not confirmed

Crypto wallets

kraken vs Wirex
FactkrakenWirex
Wallet typeMobileNot confirmed
Price$0Not confirmed
Backup optionsSeedNot confirmed

Where each stands against the rest

kraken vs Wirex
FactkrakenWirexMedian
Taker fee0.8%highest quarter1.5% to 2.5%highest quarter0.15%
Coins listed728highest quarter35below the median76
Maker fee0.4%highest quarterNot confirmed0.1%

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.

Wirex

Pros

  • No monthly fee, with the card ranking top of the field on that measure in 379 brands
  • Currency conversion at 0%, first for that measure across 237 brands
  • Covered by an FCA licence, reference 902025

Cons

  • Trading fees of 1.5% to 2.5% sit well above the site median of 0.2%
  • Coins covered, 35, trail the site median of 62
  • Support runs on chat and help centre only, with no phone line

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.

Wirex

Who it suits

  • People who want crypto spending and card payments from one balance
  • Travellers who convert and withdraw often, given the conversion fee of 0% and free ATM withdrawals of $400
  • UK residents who want a regulated crypto debit card under an FCA licence

Who should look elsewhere

  • Frequent traders, since fees of 1.5% to 2.5% sit far above the site median of 0.2%; Monzo Flex and Wise charge nothing monthly but carry no trading fees
  • Coin collectors, as 35 covers fewer coins than the site median of 62
  • Anyone wanting to hold keys themselves, since custody is custodial; Bitpanda also holds assets, so a self-custody wallet suits better

Current offers

Wirex

Current offer

  • Bonus

    Up to 8% Cashback on Card Spend - Wirex: Up to 8% cashback

    Earnings subject to eligibility

    Source, checked September 26, 2026

Country by country

kraken vs Wirex
CountrykrakenWirex
United KingdomNoYes

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.

Wirex

What does it cost to hold a Wirex card?+

The monthly fee is $0, so the card costs nothing to keep. Wirex places first of 379 brands on that measure. Converting currency is charged at 0%, and the real cost for traders is the trading fee of 1.5% to 2.5%.

What are Wirex trading fees?+

Trading fees run 1.5% to 2.5% on the exchange side of Wirex. That sits well above the site median of 0.2% and above the upper end of 0.8%. Buying and selling often will cost more here than on lower-fee venues.

Other options to compare

kraken

Visit

Wirex

Visit