Kraken futures: how it compares to other exchanges in 2026

Kraken does offer futures trading, alongside spot, margin, and staking^†. But the fee numbers Kraken publishes on its main fee schedule page are spot trading fees, not futures-specific rates, so we can't confirm an exact Kraken Futures maker or taker percentage here. This guide walks through what we can verify about Kraken, then lines it up against five other exchanges so you can see where each one fits before you open an account.

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Does Kraken offer futures trading?

Yes. Kraken's feature set includes spot, margin, staking, and futures^†. The company started in 2011 and is based in the US^††. It runs under FINRA self-regulatory status and holds SIPC broker-dealer coverage through its US entity^†. That's not the same thing as a derivatives-specific license, and our Knowledge Graph doesn't have a separate futures regulatory record for Kraken, so treat that gap as unverified rather than assume it's covered.

Kraken requires full identity verification, government ID plus proof of address, before you can trade^†. There's no way around this step if you want to use futures products.

How did we score the exchanges on this list?

We used four criteria, each pulled from facts we could verify:

1. KYC requirement - how much identity checking is needed before you can trade.
2. Regulatory disclosure - what licenses or oversight the exchange states publicly.
3. Published fee transparency - whether a clear, dated fee schedule exists.
4. Account features beyond futures - spot, margin, staking, and similar tools in one account.

Full detail on how we weigh these and where the data comes from sits on our methodology page. We score exchanges, we don't rank coins, and we never promise returns.

Which exchanges are worth comparing against Kraken for futures?

The gaps in that table aren't an oversight. Our Knowledge Graph only carries verified facts for Kraken on this page, so we're not going to guess numbers for the rest. Visit /exchanges/kraken/ for what we do have on Kraken, and compare it side by side with Binance or Bybit at /compare/kraken-vs-binance/ or /compare/kraken-vs-bybit/.

What does Kraken actually charge, and does it apply to futures?

Kraken's fee schedule page lists two starting tiers. One shows 0.25% maker and 0.4% taker^††. A separate "regular" Tier 1, under $2,500 in 30-day volume, shows 0.4% maker and 0.8% taker^††. Both come from Kraken's official page. Neither is labeled as a futures rate in the source we checked, so treat them as spot or Pro account figures until Kraken's futures-specific schedule confirms otherwise.

Here's what that looks like in plain math:

• A $1,000 trade at the 0.25% maker rate costs $2.50^†. Math: 1,000 x 0.0025 = 2.50.
• A $1,000 trade at the Tier 1 regular taker rate of 0.8% costs $8^†. Math: 1,000 x 0.008 = 8.

Those are spot-style numbers. If you plan to trade futures on Kraken, confirm the live futures fee schedule on Kraken's site before you fund an account. Don't carry a spot fee number over to a futures order and assume it matches.

Kraken also lists around 600 tradable coins, an approximate figure from the company itself^†. Withdrawals carry conditions worth knowing: US ACH deposits are free but hold funds for 7 days before withdrawal^†, and instant USD withdrawals charge 1.5% capped at $50^†. Crypto withdrawal fees aren't fixed; Kraken states the final amount only shows at confirmation^†.

What mistakes do beginners make with Kraken futures?

• Assuming the spot fee schedule is the futures fee schedule. They're often different structures entirely.
• Skipping past the KYC step and expecting to trade right away. Kraken requires full verification first^†.
• Forgetting about withdrawal hold times. A 7-day ACH hold can catch a new trader off guard^†.
• Picking an exchange from a "top list" without checking whether that list actually verified the numbers it used.
• Treating "regulated" as one fixed status. Kraken's disclosed licenses cover FINRA and SIPC through its US entity^†, which isn't the same as a dedicated derivatives license.

How do you check if an exchange fits your situation?

1. Confirm what KYC tier the exchange needs before you can place a futures order.
2. Pull the live, current fee schedule from the exchange's own site, not a cached screenshot.
3. Run your typical trade size through our fee calculator to see the real cost in dollars.
4. Check withdrawal hold periods and limits before you deposit, not after.
5. Read the exchange's own regulatory disclosure page, word for word.

If you're not sure which exchange matches your needs yet, our exchange finder tool walks through a short set of questions.

Common questions about Kraken futures

Is Kraken good for futures trading? Kraken does support futures^†, and it comes with a long operating history and a stated US regulatory posture^††. What we can't confirm here is a futures-specific fee number, so compare that detail directly on Kraken's site before funding an account.

What's the minimum verification level for Kraken futures? Kraken requires government ID and proof of address for verification^†. There's no lower, unverified tier that unlocks trading.

Are Kraken's fees higher than other exchanges for futures? Not verified. We only have Kraken's spot fee tiers confirmed^††, and no futures-specific numbers for Kraken or the other five exchanges listed above. Check each exchange's current fee page directly.

Our take

Kraken is a reasonable starting point if you want a US-based company with a long track record and a public regulation statement, and you're willing to confirm futures fees yourself before trading^††. If a clear, verified fee number matters more to you right now than brand history, our comparison pages and fee calculator are the faster route to an answer. See the best exchanges overview for how this list fits into our broader rankings.

RISK: Crypto assets are volatile and unregulated in many jurisdictions. Not financial advice.