KuCoin vs Kraken: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology KuCoin scores 70 out of 100 and Kraken scores 69. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| KuCoin | Kraken | |
|---|---|---|
| Safety and protection of funds | 67 | 89 |
| Fees | 89 | 33 |
| Choice of assets and currencies | 67 | 81 |
| User reputation | 69 | 80 |
| Transparency | 45 | 50 |
Pros and cons
KuCoin
- Low base spot trading fee
- Licensed under EU MiCA (ESMA register) or by New York's NYDFS
- Wide choice of cryptoassets
- Publishes proof of reserves
Kraken
- Licensed under EU MiCA (ESMA register) or by New York's NYDFS
- Wide choice of cryptoassets
- Publishes proof of reserves
- A licence or registration with a financial regulator is stated on the site or in a register
Facts side by side
| Fact | KuCoin | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Financial regulator licence | Yes kucoin.com | Yes kraken.com |
| Proof of reserves | Yes kucoin.com | Yes kraken.com |
| Cold storage of customer funds | Not verified | Yes kraken.com |
| Hardware security keys / passkeys | Not verified | Yes kraken.com |
| Taker fee (spot, base tier) | 0.1% kucoin.com | 0.8% kraken.com |
| Maker fee (spot, base tier) | 0.1% kucoin.com | 0.4% kraken.com |
| Cryptoassets | 1,000 kucoin.com | 600 kraken.com |
| Fiat currencies | Not verified | 9 support.kraken.com |
| App Store rating | 4.6★ itunes.apple.com | 4.7★ itunes.apple.com |
| App Store ratings | 4,393 itunes.apple.com | 36,008 itunes.apple.com |
| Founded | 2017 kucoin.com | 2011 kraken.com |
| Parent company | Not verified | Payward, Inc. kraken.com |
| EU MiCA or New York licence | Yes esma.europa.eu | Yes esma.europa.eu |