Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Kraken Staking vs Nexo
Kraken Staking
Higher score in this comparison
Nexo
What sets them apart
| Compare | Kraken StakingReviewVisitVisit | NexoReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | 0.1% to 21%Higher | 15% |
| 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 | BTC, ETH, NEXO, USDT, USDC, DOT, XRP, SOL, EURC |
| Lock-up terms | None for flexible (unstake any time); bonded has a lock-in period (e.g. 21D for ATOM) | Flexible with no lock-ups; fixed terms up to 12 months |
Same on both: Custody (Custodial).
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Key differences
- Kraken Staking scores higher overall: 9.7 vs 9.0.
- Nexo is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Yield is higher at Kraken Staking: 0.1% to 21% vs 15%.
- Supported assets: only Kraken Staking offers ATOM, SCRT, KSM.
- Supported assets: only Nexo offers NEXO, USDT, USDC.
- Features: only Kraken Staking offers Liquid staking.
- Features: only Nexo offers Multi currency, Crypto, Virtual card.
Our verdict on each
Kraken Staking
Kraken Staking suits holders who want to earn on proof-of-stake coins without handling their own keys, with rates running 0.1% to 21%. Flexible staking has no lock-in, liquid staking is listed, and Payward Europe Solutions Limited is licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458.
Nexo
Nexo suits spenders who want crypto linked payments without a card subscription, plus earn options tied to platform balances. Monthly fee is €0 with currency conversion fees of 0.2% to 2.5% and ATM allowance of €200 to €2,000 across supported balances on Mastercard rails.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kraken Staking | Nexo |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.1Monthly fee is €0 alongside conversion fees that run 0.2% to 2.5% for card spending. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.4HigherCard type is debit with earn yield of 15% under custodial holding. |
| Trust | 10.0Higher | 8.7Holding is custodial with registration such as DCE100843695-001 in Australia. |
How they place
| Ranking | Kraken Staking | Nexo |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto staking and earn | 6 of 179 | 2 of 179 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kraken Staking | Nexo |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Liquid staking | Multi currency, Crypto, Virtual card, Custodial, Travel |
| Legal entity | Payward Europe Solutions Limited | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Ireland | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2011 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre, Phone, Community | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kraken Staking | Nexo | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 0.1% to 21%highest quarter | 15%highest quarter | 8 |
Median across 69 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Kraken Staking
Pros
- Flexible staking has no lock-in, while bonded staking adds one, so you choose how quickly you can exit.
- A long supported list, ATOM, SCRT and KSM, puts major assets and newer layer-one coins in one account.
- Support runs through help centre, phone and community, so a phone line sits alongside the help centre and the community.
Cons
- Custody is custodial, custodial: the exchange holds the staked coins, so every staked position depends on one operator.
- Lock-up terms differ by plan: flexible staking has none, while bonded staking carries a lock-in period, so a quick exit depends on the plan.
- Rates run 0.1% to 21%, a wide spread, so a headline figure says little about what a given coin pays.
Nexo
Pros
- Monthly fee is €0, keeping routine card upkeep free for regular spenders.
- ATM allowance spans €200 to €2,000, supporting cash access alongside card payments.
- Earn yield reaches 15% with lockup described as Flexible with no lock-ups; fixed terms up to 12 months, linking spending and rewards.
Cons
- Currency conversion fees run 0.2% to 2.5%, which exceeds Kraken at 0% and eToro at 0%.
- Balances remain in custodial custody, so private keys stay with the provider rather than with users.
- Support runs on chat, email and help centre only, which limits contact routes for users who prefer voice help.
Who each suits
Kraken Staking
Who it suits
- Holders of coins in ATOM, SCRT and KSM who want a steady return without moving keys off the exchange they already use.
- Long-term holders comfortable leaving staked coins in custodial form, custodial, and letting the exchange run the validator side.
- EU customers who want a staking product from an operator licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland, MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458, and in Austria.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for people who want to hold their own keys, since custody is custodial, custodial. VaultLeap is a different route, built around USDC outside an exchange.
- Not for anyone chasing the highest end of the rate range who would rather have a tighter band, where Bit2Me, 0.5% to 19.2%, may suit better.
- bunq Crypto Spain fits those who want a euro bank account alongside a stated return of 8.25% rather than a long staking list.
Nexo
Who it suits
- Spenders who want debit payments from crypto balances with monthly fee of €0.
- Travellers and cross border shoppers who accept conversion fees of 0.2% to 2.5% on Mastercard rails.
- Savers who want earn yield of 15% alongside card use in custodial custody.
Who should look elsewhere
- Users seeking the lowest conversion charges may prefer Kraken, since Kraken charges 0% against Nexo fees of 0.2% to 2.5%.
- Users wanting direct control of keys may prefer self custody wallets over Nexo, since Nexo custody is custodial.
Country by country
| Country | Kraken Staking | Nexo |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | No | Yes |
| Australia | No | Yes |
| Austria | No | Yes |
| Belgium | No | Yes |
| Bulgaria | No | Yes |
| Croatia | No | Yes |
| Cyprus | No | Yes |
| Czechia | No | Yes |
8 of 36 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Kraken Staking
What yield does Kraken Staking pay?+
The listed rates run 0.1% to 21% across the supported coins, with the higher figures attached to a smaller group of assets. Because the range is wide, it is worth checking the number for the coin you actually hold rather than reading the top as typical.
Which coins can I stake?+
The supported list is long: ATOM, SCRT and KSM. Major assets sit alongside liquid-staking and layer-one tokens, so a portfolio can be spread across chains rather than concentrated in one. Availability depends on the coin, and each carries its own rate, which is why the 0.1% to 21% range is so wide.
Nexo
What does the Nexo card cost to keep and use?+
Monthly fee is €0, so routine card upkeep carries no subscription charge. Currency conversion fees run 0.2% to 2.5%, which apply when spending across currencies. ATM allowance spans €200 to €2,000, which shapes cash access for frequent withdrawals.
How does the Nexo card work for payments?+
Nexo provides a debit card on the Mastercard network, referenced as Mastercard. Payments draw from crypto and fiat balances held on the platform. The structure suits users who prefer debit spending over borrowed credit.