Kraken — Scaling World-Class Infrastructure
From pioneering Proof of Reserves to surviving multiple market cycles, Kraken's infrastructure is built for long-term institutional and retail trust.
Founded in 2011 by Jesse Powell, Kraken is one of the world's longest-standing cryptocurrency exchanges. Over the years, we have played a pivotal role in the adoption of digital assets by providing the infrastructure needed for a safer and more transparent decentralized economy. Our mission is to accelerate the global transition to decentralized finance by providing a secure, reliable, and user-friendly gateway to the crypto economy.
Today, Kraken serves over 13 million users across 190 countries, offering a wide range of services including spot trading, futures, margin trading, and staking rewards. We are committed to transparency, being the first exchange to implement a comprehensive Proof of Reserves audit system that allows users to verify their account balances cryptographically.
The Kraken Product Ecosystem
We've designed a suite of products tailored to every type of investor. From those making their first purchase to institutional hedge funds, our ecosystem provides the perfect tool for every need:
- Kraken Standard: Our most accessible interface, designed for speed and simplicity. Buy and sell your favorite crypto assets with a single click.
- Kraken Pro: The ultimate trading station for serious traders. Features customizable layouts, TradingView integration, and advanced order management.
- Kraken Futures: Amplify your trading strategy with up to 50x leverage. Access perpetual and fixed-maturity contracts on the most liquid assets.
- Kraken OTC: A personalized white-glove service for institutions and high-net-worth individuals executing large blocks of trades.
- Kraken NFT: Discover, collect, and trade digital art and collectibles with zero gas fees on the Kraken NFT marketplace.
- Kraken App: The full power of our exchange, optimized for mobile devices. Trade, stake, and monitor your portfolio anywhere in the world.
The Future of Finance: Kraken's Vision for 2030
Kraken is not just building an exchange; we are building the infrastructure for a more equitable and decentralized global economy. By 2030, our goal is to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the crypto ecosystem, ensuring that every individual has direct access to sovereign wealth management tools. We are investing in Layer 2 scaling solutions, cross-chain interoperability, and the next generation of decentralized identity protocols.
Our commitment extends beyond providing a platform. We are active contributors to open-source development and academic research in the field of privacy-preserving cryptography. We believe that the next decade of finance will be defined by autonomy, transparency, and the removal of unnecessary intermediaries.
A Commitment to Transparency and Trust
In an industry where trust is paramount, Kraken leads by example. Our Proof of Reserves audit is a public commitment to our users. We hire independent auditors to verify that our internal records match the assets held in our wallets. This ensures that Kraken is never operating as a fractional reserve bank; your assets are always there, and they are always yours. We don't just ask for your trust; we provide the mathematical proof to earn it.
Furthermore, we actively participate in industry-wide discussions on security and regulation. Our team includes some of the world's leading experts in blockchain forensics, cybersecurity, and financial law. We believe that by setting high standards for ourselves, we raise the bar for the entire industry.
Comparing Kraken to the Competition
Why choose Kraken over other exchanges? While many platforms prioritize rapid expansion at any cost, Kraken has always prioritized security and longevity. We don't list speculative assets without a thorough audit, and we don't gamble with user funds. Our conservative approach to risk management has allowed us to survive every market cycle since 2011, providing a fortress-like environment for your digital wealth.
Moreover, our fee structure is designed to be transparent and fair. Unlike some competitors that hide fees in large spreads, Kraken uses a clear maker/taker model. If you are a high-volume trader, our tiered discount system ensures that your costs decrease as your activity increases.
"Our goal is not just to be the biggest crypto exchange, but to be the most trusted. We build our platform with the philosophy that every line of code must protect our users' freedom."
Educational Resources for Everyone
We believe that an informed investor is a successful investor. That's why we've launched the Kraken Learn center — a comprehensive hub for articles, webinars, and guides on everything from "What is Bitcoin?" to "Advanced Futures Strategies." Whether you want to understand the basics of blockchain or learn how to use the Global Settings Lock, our education team is here to help.
Last updated: March 2026