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Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team

Kraken vs Wirex

Kraken scores 9.4 and Wirex 9.2 out of 10. Compare their differences and shared features below.
Kraken

Kraken

Higher score in this comparison

9.4/10
Visit
Wirex

Wirex

9.2/10
Visit

Where Kraken and Wirex differ

Kraken vs Wirex
CompareKrakenKrakenReviewVisitVisitWirexWirexReviewVisitVisit
Monthly fee€0$0
Free ATM withdrawals€0$400
Cashback rate0.5% to 2%8%Higher
Card networkMastercardVisa
Currencies600Higher150
CustodySelf custodyCustodial

Same on both: Currency conversion fee (0%), Card type (Debit).

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

  • Kraken scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
  • Cashback rate is higher at Wirex: 8% vs 0.5% to 2%.
  • Currencies is higher at Kraken: 600 vs 150.
  • Features: only Wirex offers Custodial.

Our verdict on each

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

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
Cost9.3Monthly charge of €0 with conversion fees of 0% keeps routine card costs contained.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%.
Offer9.0Card access to 728 with staking on ATOM, SCRT and KSM widens use beyond payments.9.6HigherCard covers 35 coins and 150 currencies, with a cashback rate of 8% and virtual cards in the feature set.
Trust9.7HigherSupervision linked to Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network supports confidence in handling.8.7

Pick Kraken if, pick Wirex if

Pick Kraken if currencies matter most.

Pick Wirex if offer and cashback rate matter most.

How they place

Kraken vs Wirex
RankingKrakenWirex
Crypto exchanges9 of 29715 of 297
Where to buy crypto5 of 17710 of 177
Crypto wallets6 of 1569 of 156
Crypto debit cards9 of 14512 of 145

Every fact side by side

Kraken vs Wirex
FactKrakenWirex
FeaturesMulti currency, Crypto, Virtual card, TravelCrypto, Custodial, Multi currency, Travel, Virtual cardCovers more
Legal entityNot confirmedWirex Limited
HeadquartersNot confirmedUnited Kingdom
FoundedNot confirmed2014
Support channelsNot confirmedChat, Help centre

Crypto exchanges

Kraken vs Wirex
FactKrakenWirex
Taker fee0.05% to 0.8%Lower1.5% to 2.5%
Coins listed728Higher35
RegulatorsCentral Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)FCA
Fiat deposit methodsCard, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple payCovers moreCard, Bank
Maker fee0% to 0.4%Not confirmed
Proof of reservesYesNot confirmed
Withdrawal feeNot confirmedOnly gas fees
DerivativesYesNot confirmed
Exchange typeCexCex

Crypto wallets

Kraken vs Wirex
FactKrakenWirex
Wallet typeMobileNot confirmed
Price$0Not confirmed
Coins supported728Not confirmed
Backup optionsSeedNot confirmed

Where each stands against the rest

Kraken vs Wirex
FactKrakenWirexMedian
Currency conversion fee0%below the median0%below the median0.25%
Cashback rate0.5% to 2%at the median8%highest quarter2
Currencies600highest quarter150above the median30

Median across 58 listed providers.

Pros and cons

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

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

  • 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

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 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.

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